SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, hit me my first semester at Princeton. Now it is a frequent friend I embrace once a year.
Coming from California, where the sun never stops shining, the dark cold days of winter overwhelmed me with a profound wave of sadness that I wasn’t entirely sure how to describe; seasonal depression was a concept I was always vaguely aware of, but never fully believed I would experience.
As the temperature continued to fall, I watched as the days grew shorter and the nights came sooner. The warm crisp days of the summer gave way to the harsh winds of the winter and I found myself desperately wanting to go home. Homesickness, coupled with intense work loads, worked in conjunction to render me absolutely miserable. The persistence of this feeling led me to eventually conclude that I had gotten SAD (no pun intended).
However, I found ways to co-exist with this feeling. Rather than let this gloom consume me, I decided to embrace the melancholy of winter and took it as a time to recharge and to be present. Below are some techniques I learned to challenge SAD:
- Romanticizing the seasonal change by getting into the spirit of the holidays – To me, this meant watching my favorite Christmas movies, baking cookies, and dressing warmly for the weather outside.
- Spending time with my friends – Rather than mull about not being able to see my family til break, I try to schedule activities with my friends and be present. Company is the best medicine.
- Exercising – A healthy body = healthy mind. Being active and interacting with the environment gives me clarity and a sense of calm that grounds me amidst the chaotic season of finals.
- Getting out and about – Taking day trips to New York or Philly always helps stimulate my mind as I take in the seasonal sights and decorations.
- Being kind to others and myself – I try to acknowledge that I might not always be in the best mood but that I should try to exhibit kindness to everyone around me and myself during this difficult season. By giving grace to myself and others, it helps me feel a little bit better on days when I might not have the energy to do anything, to interact with my friends, or to go to class.