Winter has undoubtedly settled into Gambier, and with it comes a certain lethargy and gloominess. When it’s so cold outside, it’s hard to find the motivation to leave your room, and you can easily find yourself curled up inside counting down the days until spring. But, there are some good things about winter that we forget about quickly in the single-digit weather. Here are a few that might just help to cure those winter blues:
1. Have an old fashioned sleepover—The cold is a great excuse to stay in your room, put on some cozy pajamas and do some of those things we all loved to do at sleepovers in middle school, like painting your nails, trying out new hairstyles, watching old TV shows and building an awesome blanket fort.
2. Wear bright colored clothes—Winter can be a dreary time but you can boost your mood by wearing your own burst of color. From bright colored scarves to funky hats to warm cozy boots, if you love your winter clothes you’ll be more excited to go out in the cold.
3. Enjoy some hot chocolate—Winter is the perfect excuse to enjoy some hot beverages—when else can you drink hot chocolate every day? It’s delicious and it’ll help keep you warm as you trek from Peirce to the library, your dorm, or wherever else you like to study.
4. Celebrate the Valentine’s Day season—Whether you have someone special to celebrate Valentines Day with or you’re a happy single girl, the Valentine’s Day season is a fun way to brighten up the winter. Decorate your room with fun pink and red heart decorations, watch cheesy ABC family Valentine’s Day movies, or at the very least enjoy all the half-priced candy the day after Valentine’s Day.
5. Go to the KAC with a friend—Remember your New Year’s Resolution to go to the gym more or to be healthier this year? Keep it up (or start anew) through the winter and it’ll actually help to cheer you up due to the endorphins your body releases when you exercise.
6. Learn how to knit—Knitting is a great skill and something you can practice cozied up in your dorm, staying nice and warm. Plus, once you start making scarves and hats that you can actually wear, you’ll be that much more motivated to go outside to show them off.
7. Go to some of the great events we have on campus—From regular movies at Gund Gallery to awesome guest speakers and games featuring our talented sports teams, there is so much to do on campus, even through the winter. Motivate yourself to go to some of these events—you’ll be glad you did!
With these suggestions helping to cheer you up, you’ll make it through winter in no time!
The Winter Blues is also another name for Seasonal Affective Disorder, in which one experiences depression during the winter months with symptoms such as sapped energy and increased moodiness. If you think you might have this, there are some other things you can do to help you feel better, such as getting a sun lamp or going to see our awesome counseling center.