Here we go again, that dreaded time of year.
From Christmas burnout to the “New Year, new me” expectations weighing down on you, the winter slump truly begins to drag. I don’t know about you, but it feels like everyone around me is falling victim to the seasonal depression pull alongside surviving exam season. You are certainly not alone. A case of the winter blues can easily creep up on us. Why wouldn’t it?
Honestly, it’s freezing, dark, rainy, windy, need I go on? Getting into bed wearing my cosy fluffy jumper at 4pm with a big pint of ice cream is sounding more and more appealing. I mean, hey, other animals hibernate so why can’t we? The NHS claims that seasonal depression is experienced by people of all ages in the UK, with symptoms including, but not limited to, the following: lethargy, low mood, overeating, feeling down and unsociable. I’m sure you can relate to one or all of these symptoms, but everyone is affected differently. To be completely candid, I know that this affects me every year and somehow, it still consumes me. I go weeks without human contact where my closest companion is my bed, chocolate and a soothing face mask.
These short days consist of doom-scrolling through tears looking at my summer pictures and how rubbish my life is right now in comparison. The consequences of the seasonal flop can be quite taxing on one’s mental and physical health.
While some of you naturally like winter weather, a true gift, I think most of us can agree that these later winter months are quite tedious. Annabel Morland, a master’s student in Genetics, doesn’t really mind winter on the whole, but does find the darker afternoons make her lethargic, “I just want to get into bed and not do any work.”
The socially draining Christmas period followed by exam season in January can really take a toll on students. After that final exam students often come to realise that they have completely neglected their physical and mental wellbeing, which can be very overwhelming.
Lauren Shepherd has expressed her love for the outdoors during winter, “going out just boosts my morale and wakes me up.” She mentions that she always sees something that makes her smile, “yesterday I saw a magpie sitting in the tree when the sun was setting, which brightened my day a little bit.” She mentions that “the contrast of being outside in the cold and warm hot chocolate or tea to follow is exciting and makes me feel alive.”
Fergus Foord, a Politics student in his final year, noticed that, following the assessment period, he had been cooped up in the Information Commons for the past 2 months, “my body and mind had turned to jelly. I think that people tend to stay inside too often when it’s cold and forget just how important the outdoors are for mental and physical health.” He plans to make a conscious effort to counteract this, he believes that “one should brave the cold and make sure they spend time outdoors just like they might in summer.” I have adopted this habit recently and ditching my cosy studio flat for my trainers has proved to be highly effective. My mood has significantly improved, and I am finally feeling more human.
Konstantina Lamprou, a Law student in her final year currently finishing off her exams, doesn’t let the brutish season affect her, advising others to “keep busy and avoid being at home, so that you don’t feel miserable. Getting up and out of the house early helps with my productivity and general health during winter.” When she is not overly busy with work she finds pleasure in an active social life, as “spending quality time with friends is something essential to my happiness and a develops a healthy balance.”
Paddy Cole, a business student in his final year, finds that “winter really gets me down during busy times. I’ve found that booking holidays and making plans for summer gives me something to look forward to. My simple winter pleasures include going for wintery walks, hot chocolates, and cooking nice food; as well as journaling to allow me to recognise my feelings and what action I may need to take.”
Winter is only a difficult time if we give it the power to be. There are so many simple ways to find pleasure during this time. Take this as your sign for some light outdoor activity or cook yourself a hearty meal with friends. I have been getting outside and cooking at home every day for the past couple of weeks and I do not plan on stopping any time soon.
While taking these measures won’t emulate the natural summer endorphins, they will certainly make winter pass much quicker. Take your mental health into your own hands, don’t let the winter blues win!
Struggling Mentally?
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