Curing the Winter Blues
Because it happens to us all.
by SHAYLA ISMAEL ★ JANUARY 12, 2024
The leaves are changing colors and the air is becoming crisp. Fall is in full force here at Syracuse. But we all know what comes after the fall; the brutal Upstate New York winters. These permanent gray skies are nobody’s favorite, and I’m sure many of you like myself are starting to find yourself with a bad case of the “Winter Blues”. Not to worry, I’ve found a few foolproof methods to help us all stay immune from the “infection”, so cozy up and enjoy!
Romanticize the cold
I’m always an advocate for romanticizing every aspect of life, especially in the winter. What’s better than making some hot cocoa in the dining hall and snuggling up in your favorite pajama set to binge-watch your current show? Another way to fall in love with the cold is to activate “main character” mode: as you’re walking to class, put on a playlist that makes you feel like the main character in a movie. Spotify has a playlist for every winter mood, and one of my favorites is titled, “Falling in Love in a New York Winter”.
Music sets the vibe
I truly believe that whatever playlist you choose sets the vibe for any task, so if you’re struggling to get up and walk to class during the brutal snowy days, put on your favorite pre-game or summer vibes playlist to hype yourself up. Reverse psychology! You may be in your winter parka physically, but mentally, you’re in a bikini on spring break.
Stay social/active
During the colder days, it's easy to just want to crumble up in a ball and stay in bed all day, but you are NOT going to let that happen this year around. Put in extra effort to plan a movie night at your apartment or dorm, decorate store-bought cookies, try a yoga class at Barnes, or do anything that gets you to try something new with or without friends. Move your body, it’s worth it!
Let the light in
Lana Del Ray says it best: “Let the Light In”. Open your blinds to let the sun shine through. As we all know, gray skies become the new norm as it gets colder, so I suggest purchasing light-producing devices to boost your serotonin and Vitamin D intake. Amazon has plenty of options ranging from a sunset lamp (I love mine), a light, and a dawn alarm clock.
Have fun with fashion
Sometimes all you need is a good fit to put yourself in a happier mood. Use this time as an excuse to buy some new clothes like a puffer or ear muffs. Or, if it's not in your budget right now, test out different fits with the items you do have and give them a new purpose! Play around with layering, you’re gonna want to wear as many clothes as you can this season!
Lastly, in these colder days, it is important to remember that you are not alone in your feelings and it is crucial you prioritize your mental health. I am definitely not a doctor but I know that you should not be afraid to ask for help if these tips don’t work for you, because in the end, we are all different people with different minds! Stay warm and beat those winter blues!