The winter months are hard for everyone, especially students. Most of the school year is spent between the months of December and March, both the coldest and dreary of times, making it difficult for students to enjoy their surroundings.
In a survey sent to OH students, 73.3% of the 15 students who responded found that their mental health was affected by the weather over long periods of time, and 46.7% of respondents said that their mental health in the winter gets bad. The remaining percentage said that their mental health is fine during the winter months, but is in need of improvement.
Although there were fewer responses than intended, and the fact that people who are struggling were more likely to respond to a survey on this topic, it is still important to note that of a portion of the student body, a majority are struggling due to the winter blues.
These findings shed light on the fact that OH students are truly affected by the weather and landscape that Oswego finds itself in each year, and it is not for the better.
Without the energy of summer or spring environments, students lose their motivation as their emotions begin to replicate their surroundings. It is hard to want to give responsibilities like work or school as much effort as they are asking for when the weather is not giving them a reason to.
“Everyone seems to stop trying and are just sleeping all the time. They seem exhausted by school,” said a respondent to the survey.
Most OH students get up and begin school all before the sun rises, and some do not leave until after the sun sets, all due to the lack of sunlight on winter days. This sunlight deficit is what is most to blame for the changing mood of students.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the lack of sunlight in the winter likely causes a disturbance in people’s internal clocks, which leads to the symptoms people commonly associate with the seasonal depression that typically accompanies the winter months. Lack of sunlight also is known to cause drops in serotonin levels, which also causes the symptoms common with students during this time.
Although not all people who experience “seasonal depression” or the “winter blues” have what is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, the symptoms are the same. People will feel more tired or sluggish, have trouble maintaining interests, and even have feelings of hopelessness and sadness. If left unchecked or addressed, these feelings can develop into bigger issues and cause an even worse impact on students’ lives.
If students are feeling tired, then they will sleep more. If they feel disinterested they will not be able to concentrate, so the impact of the weather can cause issues for both their academic and personal lives.
“In my own experience, daily activities and school work seem monotonous. The dullness in the environment can sometimes make you feel like you are reliving the same day over and over,” said sophomore Leah Nachtigall.
Students hear all the time how they are supposed to be going outside and seeing the sun and taking care of themselves, but doing these things is even more important as these feelings of seasonal depression begin arriving. Going outside when they can, taking care of their bodies, and doing the things they enjoy are all ways to help counteract the bad feelings that will arise as the weather and their surroundings get more bleak.
The winter is hard for everyone, especially students, and as we move into finals and deeper into the holidays it is important to recognize when you are not feeling your best and to take care of yourself. So, in order to set people up for success, they should be taking breaks, going outside, and doing the things they enjoy, because its often the little things that bring people the most joy.
“It’s surprising how much the little things can help during the winter months,” said Nachtigall.
In case of an emergency, please contact emergency services at 911, or the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988.
I am a senior at OH and so excited to be a Managing and Opinions Section Editor this year! I love working on 42Fifty, but I am also very involved in band and numerous honor societies here. Looking forward to doing great work this year!
Jayden, thank you for reminding people of the importance of self-care during winter months. It is difficult to miss all of the sunlight hours! Taking just 15 minutes to meditate, stretch, dance, sing, or do anything “mindful” can really make a difference. We can take cues from cats and sit at a window in the sunlight when the chance presents itself!
I love self care in the winter! I feel like it’s a great chance to slow down and prepare for next year. Great job!