January can be a hard month for everyone, especially college students. Most days, the clouds cover most of the sky and it feels very dark and dreary in Evanston. Try out the following five ways to try to reduce that negative feeling and beat the “January blues.”
1. Plan a Trip
Research has shown that the mere act of planning and anticipating a vacation causes a boost in happiness, so go ahead and plan something! Every student is on a different budget, so it may not be feasible to travel to sunny Florida from dreary Evanston. Instead, plan a road trip to somewhere you’ve never been to before with some friends. It doesn’t necessarily have to be somewhere sunny, but that will also help with the January blues. Another option is to ask your family if you can plan the next trip you take together. Not only will planning take your mind off stressful schoolwork, but it will give you something to look forward to, instead of focusing on the dreary days ahead.
2. Take care of yourself
In the winter, sickness spreads like wildfire in the dorms. Whether it’s a stuffy nose or sore throat, almost everyone on campus will suffer from some type of cold symptoms before the quarter ends. It’s so important to keep up good hygiene practices in the winter, even if that seems obvious. Hand sanitizer, water and sleep will become your best friends in the winter. Make time to take care of yourself, or you’ll regret it when you’re bed-ridden with the stomach flu.
3. Try to establish a regular sleep schedule
Let’s face it, it’s pretty hard for many college students to establish a regular sleep schedule. There’s never enough time to do everything, from homework to organization meetings on campus, it seems like midnight is the earliest that anyone can go to bed at. Don’t sacrifice sleep for your work. If you aren’t getting at least seven hours a night, make time to try to do so. It may seem like the extra sleep only on the weekends will help make up for lost sleep, but it doesn’t have the same effect. Setting a regular sleep schedule will reset your internal body clock and make it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up for class in the morning. Nobody’s perfect, and it may be hard to keep a strict sleep routine, but don’t stay up until 2 am every night to cram for class, it’s better for you and your body to get a full night’s rest.
4. Set aside time for relaxation
During winter quarter, it’s easy to get caught up in the sheer amount of work from classes and student organizations on campus. Make sure you find at least 20 minutes a day to set aside for yourself. Whether it’s taking a nap, writing in a journal or watching Netflix, do what will make you happy and feel calm. Hardly anyone is super upbeat and happy in January, so don’t pressure yourself to feel that way. Fitting in some time for relaxation each day will make you feel less overwhelmed and stressed, which is important to personal health.
5. Get active!
Whether it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator to class or crafting a complex exercise routine, staying active is key. An added plus is that it helps keep that fitness New Year’s resolution, if you have one. Experts say that increased activity, such as exercise, causes endorphins to be released and circulate throughout the body. Endorphins improve natural immunity and may also lead to mood improvement. Staying active can make you happier and give you something to look forward to during the seemingly endless grey days. If you’re too overwhelmed and think you can’t find any time to go to gym, take a few minutes before you go to bed to watch a short yoga video on YouTube or whatever you like. Being active should be enjoyable, and if it becomes stressful or too much, try to find another way to fit into your schedule.
Cover Photo Credit: Lifehack.org