As days began to get shorter and the temperature began to drop, many people began to experience seasonal depression as a type of recurrent major depressive disorder in which episodes of depression occur during the same season each year. Since we are quarantined, seasonal depression might be a little harder to manage this year, however, here are some tips to make these fall and winter days a little more bearable.
Even though we are in quarantine, I still recommend going outside and experiencing the world around you. Seasonal favorites such as Pumpkin Patches and Cider Mill have opened their doors to customers who follow government regulations. Grab a mask and go to your local cider mill or pumpkin patch, and even pick up your favorite fall treat. On a smaller scale, take a walk around your neighborhood, and witness the amazing change of seasons. It is so easy to restrict ourselves to our room; however, this will only deteriorate our mental health. Since most, if not all of our classes. do not require us to leave the comfort of our bed, try to change your studying locations. Do not succumb yourself to the walls of your house, but make sure you are doing it safely.
Since government officials still recommend the United States to limit social interactions with other people, this leaves a lot of time to be at home. With spooky season and “the most wonderful time of the year” approaching, I recommend binge-watching your favorite holiday movies with about three of your closest friends. For the spooky season, the movies I recommend are Twitches (2005) and The Haunted Mansion (2003). For the Christmas season, I recommend The Polar Express (2004) and my personal favorite, Unaccompanied Minors (2006). During the gloomier times of the year, these childhood movies uplift my spirits because it takes my mind off the stress of school and reminds me of simpler times. So, grab your very best friends, make some hot chocolate, and turn on your favorite holiday movies.
The holiday season not only comes with our hot chocolate and our favorite films, but it also means the end of the semester. I know adjusting to virtual classes has been very tough for a lot of people, but the end of the semester is right around the corner and that leaves plenty of time to recuperate after a crazy semester. With an end goal in sight it will definitely make the coming days a little more bearable. A tip I have been using to get me through the tiresome weeks of virtual learning is keeping lists of things I am looking forward to. My list varies from a new show on Netflix, a day off from work, and yes, even the end of the semester. Anything exciting coming up in your life goes on your list. These lists keep me motivated, especially during quarantine where the days seem like they are dragging on.
One thing that I have consistently been doing during quarantine is keeping a journal. Since most days are spent at home, I decided back in March to write about my day and the feelings that come along with it. My journal has enabled me to relinquish some of the feelings I have built up over time and make peace with certain situations. My journal has become a major part in my mental health journey because sometimes I feel a bit too needy to share with someone else so I just write about them. So, grab any open notebook and start to write about everything that bothers you or scares you. Your journal does not have to follow any guidelines, it is your personal space to let go of any negativity that you have not told anyone else.
With the seasons changing, I recommend everyone take a little extra time to work on your mental health. Find something that makes you happy and stick with it. It does not have to be anything I previously mentioned. Your mental health for you. Even though we have some restrictions, we must always put ourselves first because your mental health is just as important as your physical health.