An ideal winter day probably doesn’t consist of walking around outside, but when you live on a college campus it’s either getting outside or staying in, especially considering the fact that we’re living through a pandemic. Being stuck in a small space for long periods of time can get suffocating, and with winter blues already being prominent, it’s important to utilize your space in a positive way.
An easy way to make a dorm feel more like home is to add light. Whether it’s bringing an extra lamp from home or hanging fairy lights, it’s beneficial to add brightness to your space. It also provides an alternative to the fluorescent lights already in your dorm. Most dorm rooms unfortunately don’t allow things such as candles, but a way to incorporate some cozy flames is by looking up a virtual fireplace. It might sound silly, but YouTube has a wide selection of videos that provide hours of relaxation showing visuals and sounds of a fireplace. This is a free and simple way to make your dorm just a little more like home.
Another easy way to make your space a little less confining is to have a space to relax other than your bed. Whether it be a futon or bean bag chair, it’s nice to have a place to read a book or do homework that doesn’t involve lying in your bed. Having another space helps with focusing, and makes it less tempting to take a nap in the middle of studying. Adding pillows and blankets to your space creates a cozy vibe and also will keep you warm. They can also add a little bit of spice to the design of a room and make simple decorations.
It’s simple to physically add things to your room, but it’s just as important to change things up for your mental health too. Having a comforting room spray or wall plug-in can make your room feel more comforting. Another thing to think about is practicing mindfulness at some point during the day as well. This can be different for everyone so whether you feel most at peace by meditating, journaling, or going outside for some fresh air, try and incorporate something relaxing into your day.
Winter is a tough time, especially when the world is going through a lot of change. It’s important to take care of yourself and others, and a simple way to do that is by having a safe space to go to.