You’ve made it through the holiday season and into the New Year, a period of time that is often quite difficult for singles and online daters. All of that pressure to “find someone special” can make what are supposed to be happy times into depressed and unpleasant times.

But now it’s February and those dismal, depressed times should be long gone, right? Wrong! Just because the holidays are over does not mean online daters aren’t still feeling the winter blahs. It’s still getting dark early, the weather is still pretty crummy, and it’s still hard sometimes to find yourself looking for dates and feeling quite alone.

So what can you do to overcome these winter dating blahs? As it turns out, plenty!

Keep to a routine – Establish a routine and stick to it because this kind of structure has a positive effect on your mood. The best routines include regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and getting enough sleep each night.

Keep your friends close – The winter blahs are all about feeling a lack of energy, so fight them off by keeping in contact with your friends who energize you. Talk regularly on the phone, set up regular coffee or lunch dates, and make sure you have regular contact with those people who are most energizing and fun to be around.

Practice optimism – It’s easy to get “stuck” in negativity during the winter months; it’s too hard to find dates, the weather is too ugly to go outside, and the like. Remember, though, that the power of positive thinking and optimism are real. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of what you’re feeling and experiencing, make a point of paying attention to the positive aspects of your life. It sounds silly, but it really does work.

Dating Essentials Depression, Friends, Holidays, Winter

When you’re down on your luck, sometimes the last thing you want to do is to go out and to meet people. After all, who wants to be with someone who’s moping around and is depressed? But when times are tough, why not reach out to others – you might find love in the process.

If you’ve found yourself ‘between jobs,’ getting out of the house is one of the best things you can do for your mood. Instead of sitting around, worrying about your life, you should think about ways you could help those even more less fortunate – by volunteering. Not only will this fill your days, but it will also fill your heart.

You will feel better about your situation and in turn, you will be able to meet others who are in the same position as you. Working toward a common goal is a great way to meet someone who you might even consider dating – after all, you already have one thing in common. And as an added benefit, knowing that someone else is volunteering their time and talents shows you just how nice of a person they might really be.

So, why not help others while helping yourself at the same time? This recession might just be the best opportunity to spread love and to receive love in return.

Self Confidence Depression, Lonely, Money, Recession, Volunteering