February is a month that carries a great deal of weight. It is Heart Health Month, Cancer Prevention Month, Children’s Dental Health Month, and a time when conversations around prevention, access, and care come sharply into focus. At the same time, many people are feeling overwhelmed by rising insurance premiums, escalating prescription drug costs, and uncertainty about how they will manage their health needs in the months ahead. 

Here in Western New York, February also marks a particularly challenging point in winter. After months of cold temperatures, reduced daylight, and disrupted routines, many people experience a noticeable dip in mood and energy. This time of year often brings what’s commonly referred to as the “winter blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Feelings of exhaustion, sadness, anxiety, social withdrawal, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, and a strong desire to hibernate are not signs of weakness—they are common human responses to prolonged cold, darkness, and isolation. Reduced sunlight can lower serotonin levels, further affecting mood and motivation. 

While we cannot change the weather or the complexities of today’s healthcare system overnight, we can take small, meaningful steps to care for ourselves and one another. Light therapy, getting outside when possible, gentle movement, and staying connected with friends—even in simple ways—can help lift spirits. Equally important is extending compassion to ourselves during a season that asks a lot of us. 

We are living in difficult times, but February also offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and remember that health is not only physical—it is emotional, social, and deeply connected to how we show up for ourselves and our communities. As we move through these darker weeks, may we choose kindness, connection, and hope, knowing that brighter days are ahead—and that we do not have to navigate this season alone. 

With warmth and gratitude,
Annette Pinder