February 17, 2008 Winter Doldrums

February can be a difficult month. We are now three months into winter and it may seem that there is no end in sight. For myself, I usually have something planned for the end of February that gives me that little something extra to look forward to. If you need some help making it through the winter doldrums here are some ideas to help you along.

For some people, it is not just a matter of the winter blahs but a serious case of depression. SAD, or seasonal affective disorder is a mood variation illness which is directly related to the amount of light a person is receiving. In addition to feeling depressed you may also find it difficult to concentrate, have very little energy, find yourself eating more, and have trouble getting up in the morning. Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal, contains everything you need to know about the disorder and its treatments. Sufferers can benefit from such therapies as light boxes, medication, psychotherapy, and the support of family and friends. Hopefully this condition is temporary until the sun begins to appear on a regular basis.

If you are lucky enough to have the funds, a vacation might just be the ticket to lift your spirits. The library has a large number of travel publications from the well-known travel experts at Fodor's, everything from Canadian destinations, the Caribbean, to cruising or Europe. But what can you do if you can't afford that big getaway? Planning something simple will often be enough to get you through the rest of winter. A visit to Thunder Bay's Conservatory is like a mini trip to a warm, humid climate. Take a walk through the tropical plants and desert cactuses and pretend you are someplace exotic.

The Centennial Botanical Conservatory was constructed in 1967. It is located on Dease street, off Balmoral, and open seven days a week from 1-4 pm (but don't go there tomorrow as they are closed on statutory holidays). Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated. Precede your trip to the conservatory with a lunch date with a good friend and you have an easy, inexpensive way to conquer the blahs.

Tired of looking at the same four walls? Maybe it's time to rearrange the living room furniture. My husband hates it when I do this because of course I can't do this by myself. For a starting point, check out some books on feng shui. Believe it or not, there is a way of placing your furniture that can have a huge impact on your spirit. Wikipedia defines feng shui as "the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment." Start with The Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui by Elizabeth Moran which is available online through our virtual collection accessible with your library card. For those of us who still enjoy printed formats, try out some ideas from The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui by Gill Hale. By adding a few colourful throw pillows into the mix, you have an inviting new space to enjoy with not a lot of effort or expense.

Forward thinking can often bring cheer into your life. I'm not referring to a complicated psychology technique. Think of something that you can look forward to when spring and summer arrives. Barbecuing, or gardening, cycling, or building that deck. Now is the time to do your research before the best books are all signed out! One of my favourites, The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward Smith, allows me to picture my garden in the summer with all of the vegetables I will plant.

It's often the simple things that bring us the most satisfaction. The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things by Larry Dossey can help put you back on track. He states "if you want to hide the treasure put it in plain sight, then no one will see it." Tears and feelings of unhappiness are okay as they can often be followed by renewed optimism. Plants and working in the dirt, as well as music are hidden opportunities for wellness that are easily overlooked.

Crafts or hobbies always come highly recommended for improving one's mood. But don't make yourself crazy by picking something extremely complicated. This is the time to focus on how you are feeling and not re-inventing the wheel. Find something that you already have an interest in and build on it. The library has many books on various crafts and hobbies guaranteed to spark your interest. Just ask for assistance at any service desk and staff would be more than happy to help you get started.

Michelle Paziuk, Library Technician at the Brodie Resource Library