We are treading through the middle of February; the Valentine’s Day roses and candy have all but withered and grown distasteful. Day after day students face with wind, rain, cold, rain, and more cold weather. I don’t even remember what it’s like to be warm anymore, as I sit here shivering in my dorm listening to dreary rainfall. It’s no wonder people are more likely to become depressed at this time of year.

I was going to write about some kind of atrocity from the news — the Creation Museum of Kentucky that claimed that Darwin was a racist; a devastating shooting at Northern Illinois University; more coverage of Britney Spears. But after a while, one gets tired of reading melancholy newspapers and gossip rags.

This time of the year reminds me of those Bahamavention commercials that used to air on television. In the commercial, a mopey individual is met by a group of loved ones who are concerned by that person’s lack of spunk. The cure? A vacation filled with lazy days on a beach and sunshine that provides a pleasant tan. Although most college students can’t afford to spend a week in paradise, they can get a little creative in order to treat weather-induced sadness.

Here is a list of a few healthy habits that can put a little “spring” in your step while you wait for the long awaited season to arrive:

• Step away from the junk food: Why bother to deny yourself McDonald’s french fries when you can conceal your guilt in a baggy hoodie? Simple—because when spring arrives you’re gonna look like a stuffed burrito in a tank top! Even though the latest fashion trends fit more loosely and promote curves, it’s always a good idea to try to be healthy at any size. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar and caffeine causes your blood sugar to take a nosedive, which leaves you tired and unfocused. Drink more water, eat some fruit every once in a while. And if you really wanna take a risk…try decaf.

• Watch something funny: No duh; comedy induces laughter. The funnier, the better. Instead of lying in bed in a comatose state watching the news (which is what I do at least twice a week), dust off your remote and flip to Comedy Central and let your funny bone knock you senseless. It’s easy for students to get stressed over exams, homework, and more exams. Sometimes we forget that there is a world beyond Tech. Watch/read/listen to something other than the presidential election and dead celebrities. An added bonus: laughing burns calories. So if you feel extra guilty about dessert, watch some standup and bust a gut.

• Get in touch with your inner child. If I know anything about children, it’s that they are easy to entertain. The older we get, the more inclined we are to boredom. Think about it. How many times a day do you lie around in your room tired because you can’t think of anything to do? Children are entertained by cheap novelties such as coloring books, puzzles, card games, and the like, while young adults flip aimlessly through their expensive iPods and cell phones. So next time you’re sitting around twiddling your thumbs, take a field trip to the Dollar Tree and pick out a few budget-friendly toys and games that connect you to the energetic brat you used to be.

I would recommend that you dig through the dollar movie section. You can usually find a few of the classics just waiting for you to watch them. If you can’t afford to do that, try achieving a legal high that’s absolutely free. Kids do it all the time. All you do is spin in circles until you fall over drunk with dizziness. Not only does it feel great, but it’s really fun to watch. Some of the tips I’ve provided seem a little ridiculous, and some of you will think that they’re immature. That’s true. You won’t see me spinning in circles and looking stupid. But sometimes we get so caught up in being serious all the time that we forget what it’s like to kick back and have a ball.

This perpetual seriousness leads to depression, boredom, lack of focus, etc. It doesn’t take a psychologist to figure that one out. If you do something that makes you happy and relaxed, you can come back to your responsibilities recharged and more focused. Do something to help you unwind, preferably an activity that’s legal. Maybe all you need is a little jar of sand, a glass of fruit punch, and one of those umbrella decoration thingies. You can find those at the Dollar Tree, too.