Here we are again in the dead of winter. The air is frigid, the wind is fierce, the days are short and it feels like we have come so far yet have so far to go (thanks, Punxsutawney Phil). The winter blues are back for many of us, making it more difficult to get work done, stay healthy and, if we’re honest, leave the dorm at all.
The winter blues, formally known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or more commonly as seasonal depression, is a type of depression with symptoms lasting four to five months of the year. Besides typical depression symptoms, individuals with winter-pattern SAD can experience over-sleeping, over-eating and social withdrawal. If these sound like things you are dealing with, consider looking into some of the resources and activities you can use to get your spirits up.
Regardless of any professional diagnosis, you can still utilize campus resources if you are feeling low. Fordham Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offer a variety of services, including but not limited to crisis intervention, extended counseling and group counseling. Outside of CPS, we have clubs and organizations like Campus Ministry and Health and Wellness Club that offer resources, activities and events that can help you feel more like yourself again and prioritize your mental well-being.
If you aren’t interested in CPS, or perhaps are a bit too nervous to reach out, there are so many things you can do for yourself to make the dark winter days a bit brighter. The Danish concept of hygge refers to taking time to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to spend time alone or with the people you love to relax and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. During winter, hygge prioritizes coziness and warmth. If you are looking for some of that, try making a nice hot cup of tea or hot chocolate and cuddling up with a blanket and a nice book. You can even incorporate this into your homework routine, helping romanticize your responsibilities and motivate you to get things done.
Finding screen-free activities is especially important when you aren’t feeling your best. Things like reading, coloring, exercising for fun and taking time in nature (when it isn’t dangerously cold) can clear your mind and help you feel refreshed. Additionally, making an effort to be social can be a key factor in improving your mental health. As social creatures, humans require socialization and connection to help us regulate our moods and minimize our stress. A great way to stay social while at Fordham is to join one of our many student organizations (like The Ram!). Joining a club can not only help you stay social throughout the season, but also give you structure, something that many college students lack due to the flexibility of university schedules.
While the winter blues can be undeniably affecting, they aren’t the only thing weighing on the mental health of our country right now. Every time we open our phones we are flooded with violence, corruption and tragedy. We must not stay ignorant to what is happening in our country and the world, but doomscrolling doesn’t help anyone. When you notice that your scrolling is making you feel more anxious or upset and you are ending up in a vortex of negativity, don’t ignore it. Instead, put down your phone for a bit, and pick up a book or a craft or anything else that makes you happy separately from your phone. Flooding your mind with bad news to the point that you are so upset you can’t get out of bed isn’t going to help anyone. You cannot know everything, and you cannot help everyone. The fate of the world does not rest on your shoulders alone.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. There are resources that can help you, and though it can be hard to get started, please do not suffer in silence. Do what you can to help others and get your work done, but at the end of the day, it’s okay to take a break. If you are in immediate crisis, call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988.