By: Skylar Millard
Happy Fall Break Everyone! I hope the past couple days of nice weather has been utilized well. We are heading into the shorter and colder days of the year. Many people experience a decrease in mood during this time, but it is particularly prominent in college students due to the immense stress they already find themselves under. Here are some tips and resources to maintain mental wellness this upcoming winter:
Quality of Sleep
Lack of sleep or poor quality of sleep can increase the symptoms of depression. It can be hard to maintain a good sleep pattern with the need to work or study or the desire to go out. But it is important to be mindful of. Most people have heard the typical suggestions to improve sleep: set a schedule, don’t look at screens around bedtime, avoid caffeine or alcohol before bed. But here are some different suggestions:
- Don’t lie awake trying to fall asleep, if you aren’t sleepy in 20 minutes, get up and do a quiet activity without much light exposure.
- Play calm music at a very low volume and focus on being able to hear it
- Eat a small snack or drink a warm beverage
- Use sleep-inducing scents (ex. Lavender, chamomile, etc.)
Creating a balanced Routine
Especially when it gets cold it’s easy to want to stay inside but hibernating indoors is not the best option. It is important to maintain a balance schedule of studies, work, student organizations, and downtime. Establishing a good routine now, while it is not cold, can help when we get into the colder days. Check out last week’s email on time management if you want further help making a balanced routine.
Mindfulness
Although establishing a routine is important, it is also important to not fall into autopilot. Slow down and be aware of the things and people around you. Be mindful of your actions and deliberate in your decisions. This can help ground you and improve your overall mood. Some mindfulness techniques include:
- Observing your breathing
- Going for walks in nature
- Not multitasking
- Creating a journal
Visit on-campus facilities
At some point, it may be necessary to take advantages of the resources available on campus and that’s okay. They are here to help. Here is a link to the counseling and consultation services and a list of other student resources:
Counseling and Consultation Services