As the temperatures start dropping, so do our dopamine levels. Cold weather and a gloomy look around us bring many individuals seasonal depression. With the sun setting at 5 p.m., before many of us are even done for the day, it feels like our day has been wasted and we have no choice but to rot in our beds. There are many ways to combat the feelings of seasonal depression and to get out of your cold weather slump.
Even though it’s cold and difficult to get out of bed even for class, that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside.
Go on a walk
You can bundle up, go on a walk around campus and stop by a nearby coffee shop for a hot drink to warm you up. Going on a walk is an easy way to get some exercise and is a great way to relieve stress. Throw on a pair of headphones, put on a good podcast and get some fresh air and hopefully sunlight –– you deserve it.
Have fun in the snow
Winter is quite boring when it’s just cold, but snow gives so many opportunities to have a great time. Grab some friends and go sledding, become your inner child for a little while and forget about all the stress life has to offer. If you’re not feeling like sledding, you can build a snowman, have a snowball fight or make snow angels –– super basic options, but you truly forget how fun they are.
Sometimes it is too cold to even think about going outside, but there are plenty of fun activities that you can do with your time spent indoors.
Movie night
Invite your friends over for a movie night. My roommate and I recently did this; and it was such a blast, we also did it the next day! It’s so simple: get some snacks, a good, (or bad) movie and you’re set. A movie night with yourself is also a great option if you just need some alone time. You can turn it into a self-care night. Take a shower, paint your nails, turn on your favorite comfort movie and enjoy this time to relax.
Attend a game
IU has so many great winter sports games you can go to, including men’s and women’s basketball, swimming and hockey. All of these sports, except for men's basketball, of course, are free for students. It’s the perfect excuse to go to a sport that you’ve never watched before. You might find a new love for it. I just went to my first hockey game this weekend, and I can definitely see myself going to another.
Anything to get you out of bed for the day is always a good idea. Even if it’s just to run errands, getting out of my dorm for even just an hour, makes me feel much more productive and happier with my day. Don’t get me wrong, lying in bed all day is great and much needed sometimes. But I always find getting out of bed and off my phone makes me feel better about my day.
All that said, do what makes you happy; just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.
Faith Badgley (she/her) is a freshman studying media advertising.
