When Ned Stark said “Winter is coming,” I’m pretty sure the dangers of winter he was referring to were that of daylight savings. Why we haven’t voted to do away with this time change, I’ll never know—though we can’t even collectively pass a proposition to end involuntary servitude.
Now, instead of the sun setting between 6:30 to 8:30pm, the sun now sets at 4 pm, leaving most people who rise at 7 am with only nine hours of daylight at a maximum. Although that might sound like a decent amount of daylight, the true lack of sunlight can become quite noticeable.
This winter, it’s important to determine the difference between wanting to withdraw from social activities to stay inside, snuggle up, and watch a favorite show, or whether you feel like even those activities are no longer bringing you joy (which might be a symptom of seasonal depression). Last year, during my junior year of college at UC Davis, I experienced seasonal depression for the first time. I was plagued by unusual and extreme moodiness, low energy, despair, and I significantly withdrew from social activities—not even taking joy in watching Gilmore Girls with warm snacks. I struggled through that time last year, but am determined to make it through this winter with the help of knowledgeable professionals and a couple of tips and tricks.
Tip #1: Incorporate more Vitamin D into your life.
Whether it is through adding a supplement into your vitamin rotation, getting every bit of Vitamin D is paramount to your body’s ability to function. Shorter days lower the amount of sunlight we are able to consume, so finding every opportunity to soak up the rays will be essential to your happiness. Getting Vitamin D from the source itself will do wonders, so try to get at least fifteen minutes of direct sunlight when you first wake up. I’ve been trying to practice grabbing a cup of rose tea, picking up a book, and enjoying the early morning light before starting any other part of my routine.
Tip #2: Find an exercise practice that brings you joy and make time to engage with it.
Whether it’s walking outside for an hour, hopping on the treadmill for a quick run, or going to a local hot yoga studio, finding an outlet for physical stimulation significantly increases all those “feel-good” chemicals in your brain. It may sound daunting to engage in something strenuous when you are already feeling down, but the feeling you get after your workout is complete will keep you coming back for more!
Tip #3: Plan fun activities and spend time with people regularly.
Once you’ve found yourself in the slump of the seasonal depression it’s harder to consistently practice quality time. Every time I spend time with my friends, go out for a night of trivia, or even study at a coffee shop with buddies, I question why I ever really was sad. It’s so silly when I go back to my apartment and get trapped in the cycle of isolation, when seeing people and spending time with those you love truly does wonders to alleviate these symptoms.
All of these tips often feel easier said than done, and feeling bad about not doing these things can exacerbates these feelings. Slow and steady wins the race, and starting with one of these tips might do wonders for your overall routine. While these are only a couple of recommendations to help you get through this potentially difficult time, it’s important to check in with a professional if you are experiencing symptoms of not just the “winter blues” but of seasonal affective depression. It’s difficult to reach out, but getting through this time relies on the prioritization of self-care more than ever.