Deliverance from the doldrums

Another gray winter day dawns. By 5:30 p.m., the light is gone. The ground is mushy from strange rains that washed away most of the dingy snow, sunken to sagging slumps that mimic how we feel inside.

It’s cold. We’re cranky.

We find ourselves plopped on the couch, propped on pillows in bed, blankly staring at televisions and computer screens. Stale dry air enters our bodies with every breath. More food than we need passes through our lips. A lazy torpor takes over as our clothing tightens almost imperceptibly. The winter doldrums have descended.

Why do we allow this tepid state of affairs to develop when it’s well within our power to alter such attitudinal despair? The prescription for healing this seasonal affliction is simple:

1. Get up. From whatever position and place in which you are reclining, make your muscles move your bones to an upright position.

2. Get dressed. With respect to the season. That means layering garments and not neglecting hats, gloves and boots. Forget fashion; aim for function.

3. Go out. For fresh air. And a dose of sunlight. Each will enhance your energy.

4. Stimulate your senses. All of them. Walking works wonders here. Move about. Sniff. Look. Listen. Taste. Feel. Try writing down your discoveries or describe them to someone.

5. Massage your mind. Make haste to a museum or gallery. Linger at your local library. Be on the lookout for special events that wake your curious, hungry, life-loving self from its slumber.

On February 3 through 5, we can treat ourselves to a weekend-long dose of doldrums-chasing stuff. NaCl’s Catskill Theatre Center in Highland Lake, New York, will offer multiple mind-and-spirit-freshening events during its Gala Opening as a newly winterized community arts and cultural center featuring theater, dance, live music, poetry and film.

A Friday evening fundraising dinner, catered by The Carriage House and featuring live music, eclectic entertainment, and excerpts from NaCl’s hit, “The Confessions of Punch and Judy,” will be followed by a Saturday evening art auction and dance party in conjunction with WJFF radio. Tossed into the heady mix will be installation art, video art, live performance and music, poetry and other surprises.

Then bring the kids on Sunday for family theatre, mask making, puppetry, face painting, stilt walking classes and more. An accompanying craft show will feature local artisans. For details, call 845/557-0694 or visit nacl.org.

Dealing with the doldrums isn’t difficult. It just takes a little effort on our part. And while we’re busy waking our senses, strengthening our bodies, enlivening our minds and brightening our days, spring is steadily creeping into place.