It’s officially November, which means its time to cue grey clouds, daylight savings, and chilly weather. For many people this is no biggie, but for people with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), it could potentially be the worst thing ever. When the weather becomes dull, so does my mood. In high school, I would complete my 7 hour school day and immediately dive under the covers of my bed the second I got home in order to sleep off the apathy and depressed feelings. However, there is no room for that in college. You have to stay focused, get your work done, and balance a social life all while maintaining emotional and physical health. And when it’s dark out at 4 p.m. and below 30 degrees, it’s hard to be motivated to do any of that. Here are some of the tips I use when I find myself falling into the winter funk:
1. Stay on a routine
You must stay organized and keep track of all due dates and events. Try to jot them down in a planner or even on the notepad on your phone. Force yourself to set a goal to accomplish each day. Make sure you designate time for work, exercise, eating, and down time to keep you going throughout the day.
2. Exercise
Whether its yoga or a quick jog, working out releases endorphins and endorphins equal happiness.
3. Following a sleep schedule
This is the one that gets me the most. On the weekends I tend to stay up all night and sleep until the late afternoon and it ends up cycling into the school week. By the time I wake up, there’s only a few hours of daylight left. Get your day started earlier and go to sleep early. It will elongate the day and get you in bed earlier at night. Healthy sleep also means less need for naps!
4. Relax
At the end of the day, it’s still winter and you can’t change the climate. Try and enjoy all the little things that winter brings like snow, pumpkin spice lattes, chai tea, hot cocoa, fuzzy scarves, and the holidays. Start a new Netflix show and enjoy the cozy weather.
5. Sun Lamp
These are special lights made to mimic natural sunlight (minus the UV) and keep your circadian rhythm in order. They are adequately called SAD lamps and it’s suggested that you can use them for a few hours a day to help boost your mood.