It’s safe to say autumn is the time of year when many reflect on the year and prepare for a yearly reset, but ever since I can remember, fall has been my least favorite season because this yearly transition came with seasonal depression. It’s a feeling I get when the autumn chills sink into my spine, causing me to feel drained all the time. So, as someone who has to deal with seasonal depression, I’ve come up with a list of things that have helped me make fall more bearable.
What is Seasonal Depression?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, seasonal depression is a type of depression that’s triggered by the change of seasons, with the most prominent version of the disorder occurring in the late fall or early winter. In the United States, about 5% of adults between the ages of 18 to 30 have experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder, with 20% more Americans facing milder cases of the condition.
From personal experience, seasonal depression isn’t fun, especially as a person with a packed schedule filled with classes, homework, midterms, and work. So, when it comes to finding ways to cope with seasonal depression, the first mindset I have is to squeeze in time during my week to focus on myself. What works for me will possibly not work for everyone but, there is a common denominator. Make time for yourself to relax.
1. Romanticize Studying
I get it. Studying while not having the motivation to do so is tough. Especially when midterms are around the corner and there’s an increasing desire to bed rot. So, one of my favorite ways to be productive in the fall is to romanticize my study space through small changes like writing a paper at my favorite cafe, lighting a scented candle in my room, or simply playing lo-fi music in the background.
When in doubt, go to your favorite library on campus where you can lock in on assignments.
2. Have a Spa Day
As someone who struggles with mild to severe eczema, fall tends to be the worst time of year for it to flare up; however, over the years I’ve found a routine that works for me and is gentle on dry, sensitive skin.
If you also struggle with seasonal eczema or want to treat yourself to a spa day, I highly recommend a body lotion and face moisturizer that prioritizes dehydrated skin. My personal favorite is the First-Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream for dry skin. For a sheet mask without any fragrances, the Biodance, Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask is also perfect for those who want to wake up with glowing skin without synthetic fragrances.
For more experimental skin care enthusiasts, Black Friday or the Fall Sephora sale is also a great time to stock up on your personal favorite products and look to try out some new products.
3. Treat yourself
In an academically rigorous environment like UC Berkeley, I’ve realized that giving time for yourself to relax is challenging, and with the hustle culture that comes with attending the school, it can be hard to treat yourself. So, if you have time for yourself, go ahead and treat yourself to something. It can be cooking a favorite fall recipe, trying out a pumpkin-flavored drink, or even scrolling through Pinterest for outfit inspiration to make the change of seasons feel less like a drag.
4. Have Something to Look Forward To
One of the best parts about fall is the events taking place throughout the season. With Homecoming, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and football season, fall feels like the semester when college campuses feel the most lively as tuning into a football game feels similar to watching Love Island. But, if you’re not a fan of football, there are still plenty of things to do in fall like going to a pumpkin patch or having a night out with friends. The main point is to find something to do that will make you feel excited about fall. This can be through planning a fall themed date night, scrolling through Pinterest for your next Halloween costume or simply binge watching Gilmore Girls.
Seasonal Depression is a symptom of the changing season that’s not talked about enough. In fact, mental health is often not as highlighted as the typical cold throughout fall. But the best way to cope with Seasonal Depression is simply finding things about fall that make the season a little bit more bearable.