10 Tips to Climb Through the February Blues
From healthy food to getting outside, here are some ways to stay stoked during the final month of winter
With spring just over a month away, it’s a great time to focus on rock climbing trips and to connect with old friends. And while winter isn’t over just yet, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel as we get more sunlight each day. Here are some tips to help beath those February blues.
Climb More! Most climbers are well into their winter training programs, but you could always add some more training or switch up your routine to make it feel fresh. Have you ever tried pinch training? Check out some tips here. If you have the time then add an extra day of movement at the climbing gym, it’s well worth the effort.
Eat Healthy: Eating healthy food can help make those February dark and cold days feel more vibrant and warm. As the old quote, which was wrongly attributed to Hippocrates, goes, “Let food be thy medicine.” As we wait for spring during the final weeks of winter, a dose of warm food and tasty spice can help boost the immune system and give us those vitamins that we need. This February, cook with seasonal root vegetables such as turnips, rutabaga, dark orange vegetables like sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots. And here are some healthy benefits of a few spices: black pepper contains antioxidant properties; cayenne is high in vitamin C; cinnamon warms us up; garlic helps fight infection; and ginger is natural antiseptic.
Plan a Climbing Trip: With spring only a few weeks away, it won’t be long before it’s time to dust off the road tripping kit and head out. Start making plans now on where you want to visit, the routes you want to try, and the logistics to make it all happen. Order the guidebooks for where you’re hoping to visit to help build the stoke.
More Water, Less Alcohol: Staying hydrated will help your body remove toxins, prevent headaches and reduce muscle and joint pain. Add lime or cucumber to to increase the flavour. And limit how much alcohol you’re consuming, as it’s a depressant that can leave you feeling even bluer.
Brighten Things Up: If you’re working indoors all day, then brighten things up. The February blues has been attributed to low levels of serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel awake and in a “good mood.” Light can boost serotonin. Open up the window shades, turn on lights and put a lamp on your desk.
Get Outside: The days are getting longer, for example, by the end of the month, Winnipeg and Vancouver will see just over an hour and 30 minutes more daylight. Even if the temperatures are dipping to well below freezing, it’s worth it to bundle up and to even just walk around your local streets for half-an-hour. Or maybe go skating, or try ice climbing, or visit your local ski hill if you haven’t this winter. That fresh air will perk you right up. Vitamin D from the sun will also help boost serotonin. If the sidewalks and trails are safe, then start to incorporate a lunch run. Visit our other site Canadian Running for lots of tips.
Learn from the Norwegians: In parts of Norway, people see winter as a time to be enjoyed, not endured. Author Kari Leibowitz spent a year in Tromsø, Norway, where the “Polar Night” lasts all winter, but where the rates of seasonal depression are low. The cold gives people a chance to ski or skate, to sit by a fire with friends and to drink hot beverages. By consciously trying to have a positive mindset might allow you to simply induce it. Leibowitz wrote a story about her Norway time in ‘The Norwegian Town Where the Sun Doesn’t Rise’ for The Atlantic, where she details “what I learned about happiness and the wintertime blues.” Read it here.
Put the Phone Down: We all know the benefits of putting the phone down. Lessen your time on social media and news sites. Limit your scrolling time to way less than you do now. Make a set bedtime and stick to it by plugging your phone in across the room so you’re not tempted to use it. Read a book.
Community: Make an effort to connect with friends and family, as spending time with or even just talking to loved ones can help improve your mood. Avoid isolation by putting in the extra effort to reach out to old friends. Arrange a video chat to catch up. And hang out at the climbing gym or gear store for some extra face-to-face time with other climbers.
Nostalgia: Sometimes a little hit of nostalgia can help brighten your day, whether it’s a song, movie or some old photos. Here’s Chris Sharma on Es Pontas nearly 20 years ago:
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