Student Winter Blues

by Morganne Grutsch

​The holidays have ended, the cold and snow are near, the skies are grey and students are headed back to classes. The start of the Spring Term in Higher Education is a mixed bag of student energies - some are riding high on New Year’s resolutions of staying organized or maintaining that GPA, while others battle with motivation in fighting the Winter Blues.
 
​Living in the Midwest, the winter season always brings a change in mood, the days are shorter, the nights are darker and cold seems to shoot right through you. And for many people, these typical Winter Blues symptoms are just the beginning of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While symptoms mirror those of Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder typically only persists through the winter months. Changs in appetite, under or oversleeping, difficultly concentrating and increased sadness or irritability are some of the warning signs that you or someone around you may be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder . With studies showing 13.2% of college students suffering from SAD, the rates only increase the farther north you are. With the start of most spring semesters beginning in the peak of season of SAD symptoms, it is important for Higher Education professionals to understand how SAD affects student success and well being, and what methods of support they can provide.

​While typical treatments of Depression are helpful, as we advise students struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, studies show there are few methods we should focus our support in to maximize improvements. Because SAD symptoms increase with reduced exposure to daylight, vitamin D deficiencies, and changes in our circadian rhythms - encouraging students to build more consistent sleep and exercise routines, managing nutrition and increasing light exposure can greatly improve symptom.

---

Read More