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16 February, 2006
February funk

Well, here we are in mid-February, eh? How do you feel? No, seriously, I mean it. You see, February is an interesting time of year.

When you read this, the days will have been getting longer for at least two months. There's a noticeable difference between the amount of daylight we enjoy in mid-February compared to mid-December. A lot of people complain more about the darkness of winter around here than the cold. (Of course, people complain about the cold, too.)

That's good news, right? Also, Valentine's Day is smack in the middle of February. And Valentine's day is a time of joy, love, passion, romance, and celebration, right? We all slow down, take time out for our spouses or lovers, and enjoy lovely gifts.

Well, actually, Valentine's Day is a lot like "Christmas Minor". It's a day for spending time with loved ones, yes, but it's also a day for which we are expected to make substantial preparations, buy perfect gifts, and have nothing short of an idyllic experience. And we all know how relaxing Christmas is for most people.

Valentine's Day is not a statutory holiday. So in addition to all the pressure, we also often have to work the next day. How relaxing is that? Plus, Valentine's Day is for singles as joyous as I'm sure Christmas is for orphans. As joyous as a kick in the pants, I'd say.

So, Valentine's day adds up to be a downer for most people, single or not. But it's just one day, right? The fact that the days are getting longer should have us cheery, no? Those of us who suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder should be starting to lighten up.

That doesn't seem to be the case. Allow me to introduce a sobering thought. Reading week—a week in February during which University students have no classes—was created in an effort to reduce student suicide rates. I can't point to an official document that proves this, but it is the common theory among students and I have found several web pages that agree.

So what's up with this funk? I have a theory. You see, the days are consistently and predictably getting longer, but the weather is not consistently and predictably getting better. We often have very cold snaps in February. So perhaps our subconscious minds are confused, as if we were drinking coffee with alcohol in it. Should we be up or down? "Brighter but colder?" our minds say, "I'm deeply bewildered, I can't make sense of the universe, and thus I am frightened and unhappy."

Perhaps that last bit is a little extreme. But the idea is sound. I mean, we've been in darkness and cold for a long time now. We just need it to end! Add in Valentine's Day, and the picture just gets bleaker. Plus, tax time doesn't help much. Especially since some of us may still have Christmas debt.

So what can we do? Well, I've gleaned tips on being happier from various sources. Mainly, we need to relax and treat our bodies well. That means enough sleep, regular round meals, and few chemicals that throw us off balance (alcohol, caffeine, other substances…). Methods to reduce stress and increase relaxation include plenty of water, light, exercise, and company, a lot of stretching (indeed, just like in Phys. Ed. Class), and deep breathing. Meditation is a great relaxation tool. Get a book on it from the library.

The bottom line here is that if you feel suddenly down and despondent this month, just know that you're not alone, and you're (probably) not crazy.

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