It’s February. Again. Sigh.
Our feet are wet and chilly. The sky is grey, or even dark, in the middle of the day. Layers, shmayers. Let’s all just go back to bed!
It’s not unusual to feel worn down or sad at this time of year. The excitement of the holiday season is in the past, the credit card bills are due. The sparkly snow has turned mushy and brown.
This isn’t the same as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a diagnosable, regularly occurring depression during the winter that can impair daily life. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that only about 2-3 per cent of people in Canada suffer from SAD.
For the rest of us, though, the winter blues or the February blahs are real and tiring. There are things that can help, such as: let the natural light into your home, keep a regular sleep schedule no matter how much you’d rather dive back under the blankets, andget some physical activity.
Read on to find out how a handful of BRIGHT folks help themselves feel good in February!
Aryn Sousa Moreton is a long-time BRIGHT Run volunteer who chairs the Advertising, Marketing and Communications (AMC) committee and works full time as an executive assistant at Rocca Sisters.
“Working out at home using Meta VR fitness games like FitXR and Supernatural has completely transformed how I stay active, especially during the chilly winter months. As a busy 35-year-old balancing work and family life, the convenience is unmatched. I don’t have to spend money on gym memberships, commute to a facility, or even put on proper workout gear. I can jump right into a quick 10-minute session whenever it fits my schedule.
The flexibility has made fitness feel less like a chore and more like a fun, achievable part of my day. Plus, these games gamify exercise, making me genuinely excited to break a sweat. Dodging, punching, and squatting to music or alongside virtual trainers doesn’t even feel like ‘working out’ but leaves me energized and motivated.
My 12-year-old son has also caught the VR fitness bug, and it’s been amazing to see him enjoy games that get him moving and active. Instead of spending hours on the couch playing traditional video games, he’s up and jumping, running, and swinging his arms with full enthusiasm. It’s such a win-win! He’s getting a great cardio workout, and I love knowing he’s staying healthy while having fun.
On top of that, we’ve found ways to connect as a family by playing VR games together, like mini golf and bowling. These interactive experiences are not just entertaining but also a great way to bond and share laughs while staying active. VR has truly brought a whole new level of engagement, fitness, and family fun into our home—all while saving us time and money.”
Sandy Murphy is retired from the banking sector and has been a. BRIGHT Run volunteer and participant for 10 years.
“With the cold weather we’ve been having lately it’s easy to stay inside, curl up with a good book, or binge watch your favourite show.
Those are all things I enjoy but there’s something I enjoy and benefit more from and that’s walking.
I am fortunate to have joined a group of amazing women and we go walking three times a week.
I have seen an improvement in my physical and emotional health both from being outdoors and from the support and laughter we share. The occasional trip to a winery doesn’t hurt either!”
David Balsdon is one of BRIGHT Run’s year-round, volunteer event day leads. He also works full time as a sales representative at Woolcott Real Estate.
“To enjoy winter, you have to embrace winter! It gives you a different perspective on the beauty of our environment.
From early morning runs, to hikes along the Bruce Trail, to racing down the slopes. Spending time outdoors in the cold is invigorating. There’s something magical about how the world feels a little slower and more connected when everything is covered in snow.”
Kathi Aitken is a long-time BRIGHT Run volunteer and a Hamilton Spectator newsroom retiree.
“February is upon us. This is the shortest month of the year but it sure feels like the longest. It’s snowy, cold, damp, and there’s never enough sun. Because of this weather, belonging to the YMCA is one of the best decisions I ever made.
I love being in the water. I walk lanes for an hour then I follow it up with an Aquafit class. I do this four days a week. Doing these things makes me very happy and I don’t notice the lack of sun — as much.
Another plus to the Aquafit program is the people I have met. You really can’t ask for a better bunch. There are about 30 of us in our group.
We are on a telephone tree so we can keep up with everyone. Because of our ages, we worry when someone doesn’t show up for a couple of days, so a call goes out to make sure everything is ok.
Many of us meet for coffee after class and chat and laugh and we also have had breakfast, all 30 of us, in a nearby restaurant.
In the coming months, find something you enjoy doing. Meet new people, take some time off social media, and laugh. This will make it easier to get through what remains of winter.”
Kathie Ward is a retired Juravinski Cancer Centre oncology nurse, one of the founders of the BRIGHT Run who continues to volunteer year-round with BRIGHT, as an event day lead and a two-time breast cancer survivor.
“It started as cardiac rehabilitation after surgery. Exercise was really recommended post-surgery. So, I joined the YMCA and participated in the Healthy Hearts program. It was 16 weeks; I’m still going more than two years later and so are most of the people from the original program!
I love the camaraderie and the social aspect of this program. I don’t know if I’d go to the gym just on my own. It really helps to get out of the house and be with other people, especially when you know people expect you to show up! We do lunch together about once a month and we had a baby shower for our trainer.
Exercise creates a high and it’s a way to challenge yourself. It’s also a way to make life-long friends.”
Monica Graves, of Burlington-based glamjulz, is a long-time supporter of, and volunteer with, the BRIGHT Run.
“During these winter months it can be tough to find your ‘get up and go.’ As the Aerosmith song goes, ‘My get up and go must have got up and left.’
After COVID-19, I was determined to find a way to beat the winter blues. Reflecting on activities I loved as a young teen, I could hear roller skating calling my name!
I decided to make a move to start enjoying this sport that I had abandoned over the last couple of decades.
I called up a good friend and asked her if she’d be interested in joining me. She said YES! We started slow with lessons and now, two years later, we are flying around the rink like a couple of kids, encouraging people to come out and join us.
Roller skating feels like flying and it’s much like meditation. You’re in your own world, just groovin’ to the music.
Rain, sleet, snow or hail, we get out to Scooter’s Roller Palace in Mississauga every Thursday night. I swear that place is a portal to simpler times, perfect for us Gen X kids!”
