The leaves are falling, there’s a chill in the air, and the sun is setting earlier, meaning that the changing of seasons from autumn to winter has begun. Winter brings fun with holiday activities, time with family and friends, and the occasional snow fall. With all the glamour this season brings, it also drags in the dreaded and familiar seasonal depression. It creeps into the lives of many as soon as the days shorten and nights get colder. Seasonal Affective Depression (SAD), is a mental health challenge that affects someone’s mood, energy and motivation. Balancing this along with the challenges life naturally throws at you can be difficult. Learning how to recognize signs, and learning strategies to manage are crucial to enjoying the colder months, instead of dreading them.
Balancing Work: With finals approaching and work starting to pile up, studying, going to class and getting schoolwork done becomes less and less looked forward to. Breaking work down into smaller, more manageable tasks helps to tackle what may seem like a mountain of work waiting to be completed. Changing up your studying habits, such as where you study, how you do it and who you do it with also makes all the difference. Unfortunately, especially in college, the work won’t be disappearing any time soon, but learning and adapting to the load will help.
Exercising: Physical activity is incredibly important to combat seasonal depression. Not everyone is into going to the gym for a few hours, which is okay. In that case, go for a short walk, whether it’s somewhere on or off campus, it’s good to get out for a little bit. If exercising outside isn’t ideal, most campuses will offer indoor activities like dance and yoga, or even checking out the campus gym. Exercising doesn’t have to be extreme, but staying consistent and committed to attempting to try out new things are greatly beneficial.
Lifestyle and Habits: They aren’t lying when they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it really is true. Whether it’s a full continental breakfast or just a quick protein bar, make sure to start your day off with something in your stomach. Stay hydrated throughout the day, and prioritize eating meals from lunch and dinner. Keep a consistent sleep schedule. It’s hard to aim for the perfect 8 hours, especially as a student, but try for at least 7, and keep your sleep schedule consistent. It’s hard to stay off our screens, but learning to balance the usage of your phone with everyday life is a great strategy to not feel incredibly overwhelmed.
Social Connections: It is so important to stay connected with the people in your life. Whether this is friends and family, or joining clubs and attending events on campus. Sometimes all you need is a chat with a friend to cheer you up or a hang out to get your mind off of things for a bit. This is the perfect time of year to explore activities with people you care about. You have support around you, and even short interactions can make all the difference in the world.
Treat Yourself: Taking care of yourself is essential. You are your biggest priority. Celebrate small victories and treat yourself, you deserve it. Whether it’s an overpriced Starbucks drink, getting your hair done, or buying the shirt you saw and really wanted. Remember to be kind to yourself, because it’s just as important as being kind to others. Moments of joy, like these, help ease the stress of everyday life.
Nothing lasts forever, and once the season changes from winter to spring, seasonal depression will fade with it. Instead of anticipating the disappearance, focus on the things you can do to make it easier on yourself. Building a healthy routine, staying in contact with friends, and celebrating yourself reminds you that even in the darker months, bright days lie ahead. Seasonal depression does not define you as a person, and prioritizing yourself doesn’t make you weak, they’re signs of strength.