Kick the cold, cheat the chill

By Tamika Robinson
Feature Editor

With the weather reports of more snow coming our way, it is easy to get depressed and want to stay inside, but what you may not know is that you could be exhibiting a sign of “winter blues.”

“Winter blues is kind of a generic term,” said Angel Weisbrod, director of health services at Saint Mary’s University. “People are cold, they don’t want to go outside as much, and so they are a little inactive and feeling down.” Weisbrod also said that winter blues can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which is a form of depression.

Symptoms of winter blues include feeling lethargic, having a hard time waking up in the morning as the days get shorter, difficulty concentrating and thinking creatively in comparison to the summer months, misplaced blame on yourself for things that go wrong, difficulty performing tasks that normally seem to be easy and enjoyable and an increase in craving carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks like chocolate and soda.

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To get the most out of winter, Weisbrod suggests that students stay on a regular schedule, eat right and get some exercise.

“It’s really important to do for a lot of people because it’s cold outside, and they don’t tend to go outside as much,” she said. “Using the RAC would be a really good idea...(and) finding some activities to do that are indoor ones that will keep you active and interactive with people. Get some fresh air though at the same time. Even if it is cold, bundle up warm and go outside and go for a walk.”

Liz Therneau, senior, said that during the winter she likes to go for walks in the bluffs with friends. “When we’re cooped up inside we’ll get blankets and watch movies and try to relax and do homework,” she said.

Students feeling any of the symptoms of winter blues can visit the staff in the Wellness Center for help or for more information on SAD.