As the chill of winter settles in and daylight hours shrink, many students at MRHS are experiencing a familiar, often challenging transition. Seasonal depression impacts countless individuals each year, increasing feelings of sadness, low energy and loss of interest in daily activities. These winter months challenge students who are busy balancing their academics, social life and other responsibilities.
“Some factors that affect my depression are the cold air, daylight savings time and school,” junior Tyler Wilson listed.
Wilson expresses the importance of climate and how it affects student’s moods. The cold air increases discomfort while being outdoors; therefore, prolonged lack of exposure to fresh air heightens her depression through excess amount of time spent indoors. Also, daylight savings time often intensifies the work-load given to students as they progress through the year, contributing to stress.
When looking at other students’ experiences, sophomore Holly Grutz, explains how the lack of daylight makes her feel more tired and unmotivated,
“In winter, it gets dark so early. I feel more sleepy because I associate nighttime with sleep, and then I don’t have energy for anything else,” Grutz says.
Because of this nighttime phenomenon, many students like Grutz feel tired while approaching the winter season and the struggles that come with it. This weakness is a negative correlation with student motivation and feelings of fatigue. As exhaustion increases,—due to the winter solstice—student motivation in school decreases.
Wilson shared some of the strategies that help her manage the seasonal stress, explaining, “I try to hang out with my friends to not be so stressed about schoolwork. [I] draw, play with slime and try to enjoy winter activities like the snow and going ice skating.”
By partaking in winter activities and surrounding oneself with friends and family, students may feel happier and less stressed, resulting in better performance in school due to maintained motivation levels.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is another challenge that many students face, especially when the weather is cold and the days are short. When students spend time with negative people, they tend to mirror their negative thoughts. As such, an individual’s feelings and emotions are determined based on the people they surround themselves with. Less sunlight also tends to make people feel more down. By staying active, spending time with supportive friends and getting outside during daylight hours, students can manage symptoms of SAD.
“Spending time with people who are positive and encouraging can help you feel better,” MRHS health nurse Dr.Carter explains.
Dr. Carter also suggests that even in the winter, getting outside during the day—no matter how cold it is—can help fight off some of the effects of SAD.
“Even short walks in natural light can help boost your mood,” Dr.Carter elaborates.
Despite challenges of increased levels of stress, tiredness and lack of school motivation throughout the winter months due to less sunlight, maintaining a healthy balance of schoolwork and winter activities with family and friends can create a positive transition from fall through winter for many students suffering through seasonal depression.