As we trudged through last week's slush and intense cold, many may have thought, “How can I be happy in these super cold and miserable conditions?!” If you thought that last week and grumbled and complained throughout the day, this article is for you! It can be hard to keep our mental health in check during these cold winter months, especially if you are not used to the cruel Michigan winters. However, there are many things we can do to keep some excitement and happiness in our lives despite the gray skies.
The first self-care tip I want to share with you is exercising. Fortunately for most students, we have gyms right in our dorms. And even if you don’t feel like leaving your dorm room, there are great exercises you can do on the floor of your room or even in a chair. I have an exercise peddler in my room which helps my legs get moving when I feel the need to exercise. I do notice that I feel more grounded and focused on the days I use it. If you want to brave the elements, we have a wonderful Wellness Center equipped with heat, excellent workout equipment, a gym, and, most importantly, a hot tub. Getting our bodies moving helps not only our bodies but also our minds feel great.
An excellent tip I found was keeping a gratitude journal. Although you may be thinking, “What would I have to be grateful for when I can’t even feel my hands?” there are many small things all of us can think of to be grateful for each day. Even if it’s just getting a little treat from the Gazebo (more on that later), talking to a friend, finishing something difficult, or drinking a yummy, hot beverage, journaling can help train our minds to appreciate those small things that happen throughout our day. So even when we are cold, our minds can work to find the good in the harsh conditions. In other words, our bodies may be cold, but our minds can still think warm, happy thoughts.
Treats are one of my favorite ways to care for myself, especially during the winter. If I know it will be particularly cold on a specific day, I will stock up on yummy snacks, including lots of hot chocolate packets. I am a little weird because I love eating ice cream, even when it is below freezing outside. While it’s not good to eat a lot of treats at once, I think special treats are so important to improving your happiness. When I have a tasty treat in the fridge, I try to save it for a day that is a little rough. That way, when I return to my dorm, I can say, “Yay! I have that little treat!” It gives you something to look forward to after a cold, rough day.
Of course, we have the classic sun lamps. This is actually incredibly helpful. In my freshman year, my roommate had one because she was from a warmer climate. It was as bright as the sun, and it helped us both feel like we were getting a bit of that warmth on the days when the sun did not make an appearance. The effect of these lamps is very positive. It is a practical way to make our brains think that the sun is out and makes us happier. Tricking our brains into believing we are still in a regular pattern of sunshine during the day can improve our sleep and mood.
Luckily for you, dear readers, I have a Ph.D. in Surviving Winters by living in Chicago, upstate New York, and Berrien Springs throughout my lifetime. Does this mean I know everything about happiness in winter? No! However, I have gained so much knowledge from my friends and family and people from different parts of the world on how they attempt to stay happy through the gloominess of winter. The next time you feel like winter may never end (sometimes it doesn't completely end until April), take one of these tips and see if it works for you. It often takes practice to see what works and what doesn’t, but all I know is that we will get through this winter, and the sun and warmth will return!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.