Feeling depressed or sad during these winter months is not abnormal. Many people struggle with seasonal depression and are generally less happy while the snow is falling and the wind is blowing at sub-zero temperatures. It is important to get help with your seasonal depression as if it’s left untreated it can lead to bigger issues that can last all year round.
Seasonal depression is an overwhelming and deep sadness due to the weather outside and is most commonly associated with the winter months. Seasonal depression is a very general term, coming in many different forms. It is expressed and shown differently depending on the person, for some it could be very noticeable and affect day to day life and actions. On the other hand ,this depression could also be completely masked and not visibly affect their actions or lives. No matter what, seasonal depression has negative effects on everyone struggling with it.
Senior Rachel Haagsma struggles with seasonal depression as well as depression as a whole. She has dealt with depression for over five years, dating back to 7th grade. She has found, like me, that the winter months only make her depression worse. This can negatively impact her academics and will to learn.
“I don’t feel as motivated to do the actual practice work and stuff to actually learn,” Haagsma said.
Motivation in these winter months can be a real struggle but Haagsma has come up with various ways to cope.
“I watch Disney movies,” Haagsma said. “All last week I watched a bunch of Disney movies. I try to hang out with someone every week just so that I’m out of my house.”
English teacher Anna Reynolds has seen the impacts of seasonal depression on both her students and herself as an educator. She experiences her share of seasonal depression and has seen how she and other teachers are able to hide it.
“I feel like I, and most teachers, can put on a pretty good face and we can be professional and do our jobs and act all the same in school,” Reynolds said “ but I think a lot of it that students wouldn’t see is how we go home. I just know that I’ll crash.”
Masking is when you hide or push down emotions to present in a more acceptable manner to society, which is a very common occurrence when it comes to mental health. People will often hide their emotions depending on the social setting and depending on how they want to be perceived.
When it comes to the students, Reynolds has noticed a difference in her classes in the spring versus the winter months.
“I think class morale goes up in the spring, when we’re able to go outside once in a while and do some different things like that,” Reynolds said. “I think it’s more subtle than people sometimes realize. It’s just the overall mood or vibe of a class feels tired and slow [in the winter].”
Reynolds has found different ways it affects her students and even came up with a unique comparison.
“It’s almost like lizards if it’s sunny out,” Reynolds said. “We can do a lot of activities and we can do things, but the second the sun goes away and things start to get cold we slow way down.”
Although it is challenging to navigate these gloomy winter months, Reynolds has found various ways to cope with seasonal depression.
“Starting running and exercising has definitely been a huge help for me. Getting outside when I can and really taking advantage of those sunny days has been really important for me.” Reynolds said “I think but also listening to my body and knowing that, sometimes it’s okay just to have time to sit and just recharge and do nothing.”
Mental health professional Michelle Pugle and Graduate of Tufts University Beth W. Orenstein from Everyday Health explain 14 Ways to Ease Seasonal Depression. These strategies are not for everyone but might help others feel more confident.
“Preparation for the summer-to-fall transition isn’t limited to wardrobe updates or getting your home ready for the new season — consider preparing your mind, too,” Pugle and Orenstein said.
Preparing your mind is very important, you can do this by including mood boosting activities in your every day and building a routine so when the winter sets in you are ready. Mood boosting activities are things such as hanging out with friends, starting a new hobby like painting, puzzles, sewing etc. Mood boosting activities could also include watching a favorite television show or even listening to music.
Using light therapy is another solution to seasonal depression. By using a light box every day for 20-30 minutes it is found that you will be in a better mood and less depressed. A light box is a device that gives off light that is said to mimic sunshine.
“This is believed to result in a chemical change in your brain that boosts your mood and alleviates symptoms of SAD [Seasonal Affective Disorder],” Pugle and Orenstein said.
Similarly to light boxes you can use a dawn simulator, it is an alarm clock that gradually wakes you up with light that mimics the sun.
“Researchers behind an older study found that dawn simulators were as effective as light therapy for people with mild SAD.”
Overall, there are many different ways to cope with seasonal depression, you just have to find what works for you. Seasonal depression affects more people than you might think, so don’t forget to reach out and help those in need.
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