January is a tough month. The holidays are over and spring seems so far away. Then there is the weather. It still gets dark early, it’s cold and snowy and icy. The gray days can give way to the blues, aka “the blahs.”

For seniors, the blahs can be especially hard, as it is often more difficult to leave the house, again because of the weather. And, family who visited for the holidays may be gone, so more time is spent alone.

Keep in mind that whether you call it the winter blahs, holiday blues, or “the Januarys,” as a friend on mine does, this down-in-the-dumps feeling is not to be confused with seasonal affective disorder or depression.

If you experience winter blahs well into spring, contact your health care provider because depression is not a natural sign of aging, no matter how old you are – and it is treatable. But if you are just feeling blahlike, there are things that may help. Here are some tips for surviving the holiday blues and winter blahs:

. Keep your mind alert by reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards with a friend, crafts and hobbies – any activity that engages your brain. If you have a box of unidentified family photos, think about organizing them. Later generations will thank you.

. Exercise. A snowy yard is no excuse to be sedentary. If you can’t get out of the house, exercise indoors. There are a variety of VHS tapes and DVDs available for every age group and activity level. There is even a walking tape, which is a lot of fun. After doing the whole tape, you will have “walked in place” the equivalent of two miles. Check with your doctor for more options.

. Choose healthful “comfort” food. You’ll feel better, in the long run, eating a nutritious stew rather than ice cream. OK, have a little ice cream, too.

. Increase social time with family and friends. If you have trouble getting out, invite them to your home.

. Be creative. If you love decorating for the holidays, do it for other special occasions as well. Valentine’s Day is coming up and it is hard to be depressed when surrounded by lacy red hearts. And candy.

. Make plans for fun things to do, such as a special dinner or a trip. It gives you something to think about and to look forward to.

. If possible, volunteer for an organization you admire – such as Eastern Area Agency on Aging. There is nothing like helping someone else to make you feel better.

. Take a class or just get out of the house. Check the Calendar section of The Weekly on Page 2 for a listing of things to do. You might be amazed at all that is going on right outside your door.

I hope these suggestions are helpful and you find yourself in the pink in no time.

And speaking of the darkness, think about getting a reflective vest to wear when you are outside. The sun is lower and the resulting shadows decrease visibility this time of year, making it vitally important to dress with safety in mind.

If you are out shopping, be careful in parking lots as they are especially dangerous this time of year when people are in a hurry and cars may be snowy or fogged up, reducing the driver’s visibility.

Eastern Area Agency on Aging has the reflective vest available for a donation of $10, which helps us cover our costs. Be seen, be safe. Get your vest today by calling 800-432-7812.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail her at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865, or toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0150.