ISO - January 2009 e-Newsletter
Here in New York City, the winter months are always cause for complaining. Especially for international students who are from very warm climates, the chilly winds, occasional snow/rain/sleet mix and the overall gloominess make the winter a very unpleasant time. The dark cloudy days can easily lead to feelings of laziness, an urge to just lie in bed all day and sudden cravings for chocolate cake!
Even for those international students who are lucky enough to be studying in milder climates like California, there must be some days when you still wish the winter to be over. Psychologists have come up with a name for these “blue” feelings that the winter seems to bring. It is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD) and is a mild type of depression that starts in the fall and lasts until spring due to a lack of exposure to sunlight.
While only a small percentage of the US population is diagnosed with this disorder, the techniques that are used to combat SAD can be very useful to international students who are feeling nostalgic for warmer and sunnier days.
First of all, take full advantage of those few days when the weather does show signs of the upcoming springtime. Spending a few hours outdoors in the sunlight is sure to remind you of nicer days and is a great memory to help you get through those hours in class when the only respite from a boring lecture is a view of overcast skies.
Exercise is also a great way to overcome moody feelings, increase your energy levels and reduce stress. Activities that you might not really consider part of an exercise routine are very important to improving your mood and reducing lethargic feelings. A brisk walk or taking the stairs once in a while are great ways to start getting fit and to increase feelings of well-being. In addition, if you plan on wearing a bathing suit during Spring Break, the time to start getting your body back in shape is during these last days of winter.
Starting a hobby or spending time doing activities that you love are also great at motivating you to beat the winter blues. The importance of friendship should also not be underestimated in getting through the winter months and helping you feel energized. From indoor ping-pong matches and board games to impromptu visits to nearby tourist attractions, friends can help elevate your mood. And, don’t forget friends from back home. Sending them a message on Facebook or MySpace and renewing your friendship can make you happier and give you something to look forward to when you visit home during the summer break.
The importance of eating right and getting enough sleep has already been outlined in one of our previous newsletters so I will not be redundant. However, since being sick can really intensify moody feelings; be sure to maintain a daily intake of fruits containing Vitamin C or a substitute such as gummy vitamins which is important for a healthy immune system. Besides, the natural sugars found in citrus fruits like oranges are good for a quick and healthy energy boost.
On the topic of orange, colors are an innovative way to brighten up your day. Although it is pretty common in NYC to see entire subway cars and buses with almost everyone wearing black coats, wearing some bright colors can help you feel more cheerful and also brighten up other’s days. If you live in the dorms, painting the walls in your favorite bright color is probably not the best idea to beat the winter blues but a bright poster might just do the trick.
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Wishing you Cheerful Days from all of us at ISO!