Well, it’s that time of year again. The leaves are turning orange, the air is getting freezing cold and our moods are going down. That’s right, the seasonal depression has arrived. We’re getting over, or are in the middle of the slums of midterms, which can seriously weigh a person down. All of the work combined with the bitter weather can bring in that depression. Don’t worry, you will be home with your family on Thanksgiving for a break. Of course, we shouldn’t necessarily assume you like your family, but a break from school will come to you soon in one way or another. For now, you have to try to make it through these last few weeks and power through the somber feelings. Here are some tips to get through that seasonal depression.

Bundle up

Of course, this is not an immediate solution that will fix everything, but it will make your situation a little bit better. They don’t call it seasonal depression for nothing. The cold weather can sometimes make it hard to focus, work or even move. Make sure you have enough layers on your body, such as pants, long sleeve shirts and jackets. Try to be as snug as a bug in a rug whenever you are out and about. You can also try to get a hot drink and a blanket for extra warmth. Even briefly, all of this will make you feel a little better.

Get Some Rest

Feeling all of this depression can be a bit exhausting. The exhaustion can lead to even more sad feelings. It is an endless cycle of tiredness and sorrow. Then come the headaches, the complaining and the sluggishness. All of this is meant to say that you should get a lot of sleep during these times, possibly more than usual. When you are well-rested, you will have a better outlook on the world and be better prepared to face any challenges that come your way. Energy is an important part of being a functional human, so if possible, get your full eight hours. If it is physically impossible, either take things out of your schedule or try to find time to take naps. Sleep tight and don’t let those bed bugs bite!

Carve Out Dedicated Work Time

Getting work done can be an important part of making sure that seasonal depression goes away. It is the season of so much work in practically all of your classes. You should never let all of that work pile up and make the seasonal depression worse. In order to get through that work, you need to make time for that work. Try to find some manageable time in your day where you can get some work done whenever you have a lot of projects that need to get done. Don’t put the work off for too long. Whether that will be studying for a test, writing an essay, finishing a worksheet or anything else that your classes require of you, this is your time to do it. Making excuses will not help you in the long run. Also, there is nothing like that feeling of finally accomplishing work and no longer having the pressure on your back. The work time will be much better for your days, and make the school work just a bit easier until the end of the semester.

Spend Time With Friends

As it has once been said, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” While it is important to get your school work done, you should not make yourself a shut-in. One of the best ways to find some happiness is with other people. Have some fun with your friends! Go to a party, chill in a dorm room, get a meal or anything else that requires enjoyable social interaction. This can be a nice and short distraction from all of the problems going on, which could possibly be a good thing. When you go out in the world, you can leave your stress at the door for a bit. Your friends are there to support you and they are probably going through similar problems themselves. You can cure each other’s depression together. This won’t fix your problems for a long time, but it will make you briefly forget your problems. You can remember what joy and excitement feels like. Text your group chat, make some plans and you won’t have to get through the cold weather and hard work alone.

Everyone is going to have different methods to cope with their seasonal depression, so if none of these tips work for you, figure out what suits your mindset best. These are just some tips that should make your seasonal depression situation a little easier. At the end of the day, we want you to feel happy and healthy. As we get deeper into this semester, we at The Hoot want to wish you good luck on everything that you face.