Chloe Reid

Reporter

With the days getting shorter, nights getting longer and weather dropping below freezing, seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a common emotional downfall during the fall and winter seasons. SAD is creeping up on many students and faculty during this dark and cold time of year. affecting productivity, happiness, and motivation.

“I definitely think it’s hard to stay productive right now because it’s harder to go outside and be active outside, which can make it harder to stay motivated by being cooped up indoors all the time,” said first-year Idaho State student Hali Wagstaff. Despite the increase in gloomy moods, there are many effective ways to reduce stress and negative emotions during the upcoming winter season.

Therapy Sessions

A common and effective way to fight increasing negative emotions, therapy sessions are easily accessible to any students as well as faculty experiencing sadness or anxiety. Counseling sessions on-campus are available for appointments by contacting the Counseling and Testing Service at (208) 282-2130 for appointments.

Vitamins C/D

Other than its known side effects, Vitamin C is also good for lowering anxiety levels as well as heightening overall mood. Vitamin C is very common in most fruits, as well as several supplement options, making it easily accessible for a quick happiness booster during this time of year. Despite sunshine being less readily available during the winter months, take advantage of the days where the sun is out and soak up Vitamin D. Vitamin D is helpful in reducing depression as well as improving energy levels, despite the weather being cooler.

Sun Lamps

Sun lamps are an easy way to bring brightness into your home despite the cloudy days outside. According to the Mayo Clinic,  an average recommendation for SAD is to use a 10,000 lux light box about 16-24 inches away from your face, for about 20 to 30 minutes per session. If 20-30 minutes isn’t helping your symptoms, boosting the time to 60 minutes might be more beneficial for you.

Meditation

A simple yet powerful practice for the mind, meditation is something anyone can do within the comforts of their own home. Focus meditations on things that make you happy, or brighter times of the year. Also, trying to create positive mantras (a phrase or sound meant to aid in meditation) to continue promoting throughout meditation events can be an additional way of helping.

Social Events

For many, cold weather can be somewhat intimidating due to being stuck inside most of the time. Many people experiencing seasonal depression can feel discouraged about going out at all, however, getting out there and spending time with people you care about can significantly reduce symptoms. Even things as small as visiting a friend’s house and baking cookies, or going on a quick day trip to a new town, getting out and being social is an always accessible yet functional way to reduce SAD.

Caring for Plants

While a pet may be too much work for many, plants are a cheap yet wonderful way to distract your mind during sad times. Even if they are not as active as a pet, plants still give you a way to care for something without breaking the budget. Owning a few houseplants in your space has also shown to reduce stress levels, as well as boosting your overall mood and improving productivity.

Nature

Despite the temperatures dropping, and going outside seeming like the last thing anyone would want to do during this time of year, nature can still be just as beneficial to boosting happiness. Bundle up and take a hike or a quick walk through a local nature trail. Studies have shown that even spending a small amount of time in nature can boost your mood. Even if a forest or major nature trail isn’t in the vicinity, even taking quick strolls through your neighborhood can help in giving the positive benefits of seeing nature.

Candles/Incense/Essential Oils

Scents such as peppermint, cinnamon, rosemary, pine and citrus scents such as lemon or orange have been proven to enhance your mood as well as carrying clarifying and calming properties that can increase happiness and reduce anxiety and stress. Having candles, incense or essential oil diffusers in your home is a quick way to disperse happy scents into the air.

Epsom Salts/Baths

Hot baths as well as Epsom salts are a wonderful way to relax while temperatures outside are decreasing. Similar to candles and incense, bathing in Epsom salts is also a good way to get uplifting scents into your everyday regimen. Taking hot baths has been shown to improve sleep, reduce pain and decrease stress.