Beating the Winter Blues
Libby Skiles, Health & Counseling Services
It’s that time of year again in Spokane. The weather has turned cold, and the skies are a bit gray. One of the things we see from time to time is students (and staff) experiencing the winter blues. We’ve included a few tips that you can share with your student if you suspect the weather is getting them down.
Exercise
One of the best ways to beat the winter blues is to get up and get active! There are so many winter options for our students. Beyond the Rudolf Fitness Center, this time of year is primetime for intramural sports. Your student can show their competitive side and get a little exercise in as they chase the ever-valuable intramurals champion t-shirt!
Get Outside
Our Gonzaga Outdoors office also offers great outdoor programs that are perfect for wintertime and many rentals for the snow, such as snowboards, boots, and helmets. With multiple ski resorts nearby and many that offer student discounts, this is a great way to enjoy the winter weather.
Help Others
Volunteering is always a great way to improve mental health and general well-being. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available to students through student organizations as well as our Center for Community Action & Service Learning. Giving back is good for the soul and great for the resume!
Stay Social
It can be tempting to hibernate and watch Netflix all day when the skies are dreary, but encouraging your student to stay social is a great way to keep spirits high. Gonzaga has events happening every day that students can attend or they can plan one of their own. Game nights and movie nights are great ways to stay indoors and enjoy company of friends.
Set a Sleep Schedule
This is advice our students should use, rain or shine! Getting consistent sleep is vital to the wellbeing of our Zags. One of the best things a student can do is get 6-8 hours of sleep a night. If they can sleep on a consistent schedule, it’s even better! When the days are shorter, it can be harder to wake up and students may sleep too much. Coach them to set an alarm and get up and going every day at the same time.
Get Help
For some of our students, the winter blues may have a more significant impact than for others. Many times, we see this in students who are from areas of the country (or world) that get more sunshine during the winter months. If your student seems to be struggling more than you would expect, suggest they visit Health & Counseling Services. They may need a little extra boost like a light box, Vitamin D supplement, or other care to help them through these winter months.