This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at McGill chapter.

Yes, it is here. The first snowfall of the year happened today. It doesn’t seem like much right now; there are no muddy splashes, no puddles, no ice, no ankle deep snow and last but not least no slipping while you are climbing up to McIntyre – but it’s on its way. I bet you are feeling down after only reading those sentences. BUT, with the following advice that I provided this winter will be the easiest to survive.

Why can you get sad or depressed in winter?

Winter depression or in medical terms SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of depression that takes place in the fall and winter months. Winter depression usually begins in late fall when the daylight saving time ends or early winter and goes away by summer, and is felt to be due to the shortened days and longer nights, with the main culprit the lack of sunlight.

Could you have SAD?

The symptoms of SAD:

– Sadness, constantly being bored

– Changes in your sleep schedule (increased need for sleep)

-Low energy

-Avoiding social needs (not willing to socialize, being more sensitive towards exclusion

– Increased interest for food

– Not enjoying anything, not wanting to leave your bed

Obviously, if you think you may have SAD or any form of depression, you should consult a medical professional. However, the following pieces of advice are intended to help those who get a little more gloomy in the long, cold winter months.

How to Treat your Winter Depression:

1. Lighten your environment and exercise:

Because the sun sets at around 5pm, our bodies don’t get enough sunlight they crave. Try sitting close to your window and always open your curtains if you are not getting enough sunlight, you shouldn’t close your curtains when you have a chance to actually brighten your environment.

Our bodies need to stay active, during winter we don’t walk around as much as we do in summer so if you are an athletic person, try going for a jog. If not, try going to yoga classes. Yoga studios are designed to make you feel relaxed, you will find inner peace and drift away from your winter blues.

2. I’m sorry, but carbs are not your friends:

As much as carbs and junk food may seem appealing and give you temporary happiness you have to eat smarter. If you don’t want to welcome summer with extra winter weight, you should act accordingly. Have a balanced diet, of course, you can indulge in a mac and cheese or fries but not every day. To boost your serotonin level, you can add these foods to your diet:

-Grains

-Fish, poultry and meat

-Nuts and Seeds

-Oils

-Dairy: bananas, kiwi, pineapple, plantains, plums, grapefruit, mango

-Sea Vegetables: kelp, seaweed, spirulina

-Legumes and Beans: lentils, mung beans, chickpeas, peas, cooked beans

-Fruits: bananas, kiwi, pineapple, plantains, plums, grapefruit, mango are rich in serotonin.

3. Study with your friends:

Don’t lock yourself in your room, ask your friends to study together. You will socialize and get your work done. Try to discover new cafes in Old Montreal, Plateau and Mile-End. Check out this article for the cosiest cafes: https://www.mtlblog.com/best-of-mtl/the-20-coziest-cafes-you-need-to-go-to-in-montreal-this-winter

4. Browse happy playlists:

If you constantly listen to depressing songs you will feel more down than if you’re listening to something upbeat. Try to find playlists with happy songs to uplift your mood.

5. Take a break:

Go to a warm place for your spring break. Soak in the tropical sunlight and have a break from the school work and endless darkness.

Top Destinations for Spring Break include:

– Cuba

– Mexico

– Dominican Republic

– Florida

– Puerto Rico

– Hawaii

Images Obtained From:

http://localmontrealtours.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-montreal-this-winter/

https://giphy.com/gifs/game-of-thrones-winter-is-coming-here-GgbCiS1rMjG…