How to survive a gloomy February in Seattle

After living in Seattle for 15 years, I can confidently say I adore the rainy season. But I have to put an asterisk on that statement because one of its months is always difficult to get through: February.

Frankly, if you’re not proactive about it, February in Seattle can kind of suck.

I think it’s probably because we’re far from the chaos, excitement, and constant time with friends and family from October through December. It’s beyond the calming slowness of January and not close enough to March’s springtime fanfare. Seattlelites are still fully in hibernation mode. 

February feels like a month nearly everyone here just tries to get through as quickly as possible.

Seattle doesn’t have many big events or major festivals in February. It’s still rainy and gray, and it usually gets even colder with a chance of snow and ice (both of which can shut down the city at a moment’s notice). To top it off, the daylight hours still feel too short. It’s not exactly the best time to enjoy Seattle.

I find it hard to muster up much enthusiasm for this month even with a February birthday. But over the years, I’ve gotten better at fighting the gloomy February blues… without jetting off somewhere warmer and sunnier for a few days.

Maybe you’re a new transplant who’s trying to navigate this weird month in the city. Perhaps you’re dreading yet another February in Seattle, which seems to be synonymous with a hefty dose of seasonal depression. 

I know this month in Seattle can be tough. Here are my tips to make it a little less so: 

Schedule spa and sauna days as often as you can

I don’t particularly enjoy cold weather, but the silver lining is that it makes day spas and saunas a more worthwhile indulgence. Try to schedule at least two spa days during February. 

This may seem a bit frivolous but people who regularly use them claim to notice better circulation, increased energy, and an improved mood. While scientific studies have yet to conclude this, we can all agree they feel good.

At the very least, they’ll help you remember what it’s like to be warm. It’ll happen again… in three to four months.

Day spas and saunas are often seen as somewhat of a luxury around here (and if you’re looking for luxe, visiting Salish Spa should do the trick). But others like Banya 5, Olympus Day Spa, Hothouse Spa and Sauna, and Soak and Sage are a little more reasonably priced for several monthly trips.

Just avoid scheduling these spa dates around Valentine’s Day when they’ll have higher pricing (and little, if any, availability).

Begin savoring the sunrises

When the sunsets are early and daylight hours are limited… you’ve gotta take what you can get. Luckily, sometimes what you get are stunning sunrises. 

Not every February day is one hundred percent cloudy. On days when the mornings are clear or just partially cloudy, you can usually count on a beautiful and epic sunrise. Sometimes it’ll come with a view of snowy Mount Rainier, too.

I think people often dread the early sunsets, but I think that’s even more reason to savor the late sunrises. Enjoying a steaming cup of coffee while watching the sky change a kaleidoscope of colors and the world wake up little by little does make those dark days feel a little less depressing.

Admiring wintertime sunrises makes this month all the more enjoyable for me and I highly recommend trying it. It gives you something to look forward to right away in the morning, which can give you a quick mood boost.

Go on walks even when it’s gloomy or snowy outside

It’s tempting to stay indoors when the weather is bad, especially if you’re just not used to it. Don’t.

Getting outside year-round is one of the key ways to start loving this city, and it’s especially important for slow months like February. Taking a walk in the rain or snow can actually be pretty cozy as long as you’ve got the right gear and clothes to stay comfortable.

People experiencing SAD (seasonal affective disorder) should especially prioritize this. Exercising and being outside for just 15 to 20 minutes a day are effective ways to mitigate symptoms. Given that SAD affects those in the northern states more heavily than others, this is a pretty good prescription for most residents. [source] 

Plan some snowy hikes in the Cascades. Visit Washington Park Arboretum’s winter garden. Or wander through an uncrowded trail in your favorite neighborhood. Schmidtz Preserve Park is one of my favorites for the latter. 

Begin taking vitamin D3 and bask in as much natural light as possible

Don’t stay in on the gloomy days and especially don’t stay in on the sunny days. There’s nothing like an unseasonably warm or sunny day in February to get the locals outside. Expect to see traffic, crowds, and that one guy who likes wearing shorts and sandals in 40-degree weather.

Along with a propensity for SAD, many Pacific Northwesterners have a vitamin D deficiency due to the sun’s weaker rays in the wintertime. Taking a vitamin D3 supplement is a good way to battle this deficiency, according to University of Washington nutrition specialist Morgan Chojnacki. [source] 

Additionally, natural light is a natural mood booster. Happy lights can only go so far — getting it straight from the source is best.

Plus, on days like this, you can typically begin to see the signs of spring popping up. Search for tiny violet crocuses, mini cherry blossom buds, and the green tips of early daffodils. These may trick you into thinking spring will come early this year… don’t believe them just yet.

Seek out crowded bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and events

Make the effort to get out to the crowded bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and attractions when it’s gloomy and dark. It’ll usually pay off in the form of unexpected but fun experiences.

It’s how I got wrapped up in a multi-week sumo wrestling watch party at a brewery on one occasion. I met several new neighbors and became emotionally attached to the journey of wrestlers I knew nothing about prior to the start of the month. 

On another occasion, I stumbled into a pub hosting a birthday party… for a pug. We all sang, gave a congratulatory pat to the pup, and left with a slice of free cake. 

Being around other people during this gloomy month is important. Plus, if you’re a major introvert, going out in February is perfect because those crowded bars will still be way less crowded than in July.

Plan day trips or staycations to break up monotony and help local communities

I try to take at least a few day trips or plan a staycation in February for two big reasons. 

First, it’s a nice way to break up the monotony of the month. You’ll get to experience a different pace in the places you already love. You may realize you prefer them in the off-season. Or you could also discover a new city or town that you like and have plenty of time to plan a return visit for later in the year.

Second, February is the low season for the majority of the businesses in the region. Going to restaurants and shops, staying in hotels, and attending events is beneficial for local communities which typically get the majority of their business in the summertime.

Here’s the way I look at it: If you make an effort to get out to your favorite places in February, there’s more of a guarantee that they’ll still be there in July. 

Lean into the “hibernation” by picking up a hobby or trying a craft class

Can’t be bothered to get outside and prefer to experience peak February “hibernation”? Make use of your time inside by trying out a hobby or several. 

Keeping yourself busy is a great way to alleviate the February blues. Plus, you’ll come away with a new skill.

Add socializing to the mix by doing a hobby with others. There are dozens of craft classes around Seattle, and The Works Seattle hosts a good chunk of them. Ever had an inkling of curiosity about blacksmithing? I highly recommend classes at Lawless Forge.

One thing I like to do if I’m stuck indoors during February is travel planning… which leads me to my final point.

Begin planning warm-weather activities, booking campsites, and scheduling trips

Knowing that I’ll be cold for at least another three months is tough. But nothing makes me feel more okay than planning for what I’ll do when that’s no longer the case.

Start planning trips and vacations, both locally and abroad. Brainstorm possible spring and summer day trips and weekend getaways. Bookmark cool-looking hikes and reserve campsites. It’s your chance to get ahead of the crowds and snag some of the most popular sites early.

Looking forward to something is a good way to get through what’s going on now. And keep your head up. The sun will make its appearance once again.

***

Surviving February in Seattle comes down to this: Getting outside, staying connected with your community, keeping yourself busy, attending to your well-being, and looking forward to the warmer seasons to come.

I’d be lying if I said I look forward to February in Seattle. But now that I know how to survive this month, it’s much more manageable and easier to get through. 

Up next, read my piece on why I love traveling locally!