I’ve lived in the Midwest my entire life, and ever since I can remember, fall’s turn to winter has seemed to come too soon, with the leaves freezing just as quickly as they fell. Winter makes me more irritable, less happy, and I tend to lose more motivation as the temperature drops. As someone who already suffers from anxiety, my symptoms only get worse as I face more difficulty getting to class and finding time to hang out with the people most important to me. After surviving my first winter in Ann Arbor without a car last year, I have some tips to remain as merry as possible while succeeding in school.
- Stick to a solid routine and stay busy.
Putting structure into your day, especially on the weekends, when classes don’t take up the bulk of your time, can be super rewarding. Scheduling your plans ahead of time can put your mind at ease and lessen feelings of anxiety. Keeping up with activities you did when it was warmer (going to the gym or shopping with friends, for example) brings a sense of familiarity.
- Keep going to class!
Getting out of bed in the winter seems to require double the energy and motivation than in the warmer months. It’s so easy to tell yourself to watch the recording later, that the 10-minute walk really isn’t worth the hassle. Regardless of whether the class is recorded, being present in class allows you to be way more attentive than sitting in bed and trying to absorb the content. Additionally, that walk to class gets your blood flowing and sets you up for a productive day.
- Stay hydrated and eat full meals.
Making it to the dining hall during cold mornings seems like a task, especially if you need to walk outside to get there. But, without three meals a day, it’s impossible to gather energy to put your best foot forward in class, and in turn, be the most successful version of yourself. Eating adequate amounts of each food group and taking vitamins helps you stay healthy during the time it matters most—when it feels like every illness ever contracted is floating around your dorm. Even though we sweat less in the winter, leading some to believe that drinking water is less important, shivering and dry indoor air from heating dehydrate us. Just as in the warmer months, make it a habit to fill up your water bottle before class.
- Treat yourself often.
Tackling school in frigid temperatures isn’t easy, so rewarding yourself with a sweet treat or small gift every so often can help motivate you. As long as you’re not completely breaking the bank, I am a strong believer that buying things for yourself is one of the best forms of self-care. Whether it’s a Starbucks holiday drink or a product from Sephora, a small purchase goes a long way.
- Give yourself grace if these tips are hard to follow – being kind to yourself is more important than staying active and being an academic weapon.
There’s a reason why the term “seasonal depression” comes up so often in general conversation even when mental health wasn’t originally the topic of discussion. If you suffer more from mental health issues in the winter, you are certainly not alone. Be kind to yourself as you would to a close friend having similar problems and remember that better days are always ahead. Soak up every sunny day and when the clouds make the world grey, don’t be afraid to look for sunshine in other places and people.