As the long, Minnesota winter drags on, many are falling into a cycle of continuous tiredness and sadness due to the brutal weather outside. From the sun rarely shining and windshields dropping to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is hard to work through the piles of homework and not wrap yourself in a blanket and take a nap. Though spring break is only three weeks away, the stretch from now until then feels like an eternity, so to help those suffering from the winter blues, the NHS composed a basic list of a few tips and tricks to suppress those exhausted feelings.
In the list, the most popular to get rid of the winter blues in staying active and exercising. Whether it is going for a quick walk outside or trying a new, fun exercise class, exercise can increase feelings of well-being and raise energy levels, which can help to get the motivation to do work when it is pitch black outside. However, a few students find it hard to get the motivation to work out. Amelia Reyes ‘21 says, “The winter blues occur for me, and they make it harder to go outside and exercise, and that is something that brings me happiness in my life and not having it messes up my routine.”
Another trick is to expose yourself to light. Although the tip seems slightly odd and challenging, it is practical and useful. Silvana Dessi-Olive, a French teacher, also adds that she has, “A seasonal therapy light- it helps because it emits rays.” The purpose of seasonal lamps is to mimic summer and spring daylight and improving mood – thus getting rid of winter blues. Whether standing outside for a few minutes when it is sunny, getting a sun-lamp or trying some vitamin-D supplements, any of these simple actions can help.
The simplest of solutions is to “faking it ’til you make it,” wear bright colors and enjoy the freezing snow. Instead of wearing grey sweatpants and a black hoodie, try to wear some more bright colors to boost your energy level. Or simply, act like a Minnesotan, enjoy the cold by going skating, ice fishing, or throwing up a bucket of water and watching it come down as steam. Although some of these recommendations may either seem very obvious or very extreme, some students and faculty at Blake contest that these tips can make a difference. Winter isn’t leaving any time soon, so it is best to do whatever we can to feel happy and energetic. But, when in doubt, follow Reyes’ advice and, “just move to California.”
