Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash
Winter has officially arrived in the Netherlands, with gusty winds and sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures trailing along in its wake.
As an international student who’s prone to feeling isolated and depressed during the winter months, I’ve been really struggling to power through a black hole of sad thoughts and a general lack of motivation.
If you’re like me and you’ve been struggling to get this ‘New Year, New Me’ thing off the ground and get productive, I feel for you — I really do. However, there are a few tips that I’ve found somewhat useful in helping me feel more like myself, which I’m sharing below for anyone who needs them!
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1. Reach out to your loved ones
When I’m depressed, I have a tendency to withdraw into my own head and ghost the very people I ought to be reaching out to. Of late, however, I’ve been consciously reaching out to my partner and best friend when the burden becomes too heavy to bear alone.
I won’t lie — talking about your issues won’t make them disappear. Sometimes, it won’t even lighten the load for longer than a few minutes. But, little by little, you’ll notice that that horrible knot of anxiety tends to unravel a bit when you’re around someone you can confide in.
💡 TIP: For those miles away from their families, there are definitely some ways to (virtually) bridge the gap:
- WhatsApp is a handy messaging service that also offers video and voice chat options
- Discord is an app that lets you join (and create!) servers with other users, who you can text, stream films with, and call
- Skype is primarily a video calling service, but also offers voice chat and messaging capabilities
Graphic made by Lia Underground via Canva
2. Go for a walk to clear your head
According to the NHS, getting regular exercise can be a serious mood-booster.
If I’m being 100% honest, however, I don’t resort to this half as often as I should. And yet, when I do, my mind is much clearer and that awful, fluttering anxiety in my chest is far less active.
When it comes to beautiful green areas and parks, I’m pretty spoilt — I live relatively close to Leiden’s Hortus Botanicus. Home to stunning botanical gardens, the Hortus also has a number of walking paths that your feet can pitter-patter down as you switch your overthinking brain off.
💡 TIP: For those that need extra motivation in order to get out of the house, you can always join a Meetup group that does regular city walks. I’ve found that belonging to a team gives me a healthy sense of accountability, especially if homesickness has you feeling rather isolated.
3. Get proper nutrients (food and vitamins)
The NHS also advises eating a balanced diet as another way of combatting seasonal depression.
Even though taking vitamins and eating my greens haven’t helped manage my winter blues, I like the fact that I’m practicing some form of self-care — even when the rest of my life feels as though it’s falling to bits around me.
💡 TIP: If (like me) you’ve got a severe lack of energy during these winter months, you may want to check out some one-pot recipes. BBC Good Food has loads of quick and easy recipes, and many can be simplified even further.
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com
4. Switch on an episode of your favourite film or TV show
Hey, not every solution has to be proactive! On those rare days when even getting out of bed is a struggle, I resort to a few episodes of a show that’s on my ‘To Binge’ list.
My recent obsession has been Death Note (no, not the terrible Netflix adaptation, but the anime). I never considered myself an ‘anime person’, but this series has clever twists and turns, an antihero protagonist, and a plot that hooks you from the very first episode.
💡 TIP: If you’re homesick, though, you could always choose a comfort film or series that’s seen you through some tough times and hop on a Discord video call with your nearest and dearest.
5. Don’t be afraid to seek help from a professional
“Wait… shouldn’t this be the first option here?” you might be asking. Unfortunately, it’s NOT easy to reach out for professional help, even if you really need it.
It took me years before I finally spoke to a psychologist about my depression, so I’m well acquainted with the struggle. Which is why I’ve listed some tips that have helped me manage my symptoms.
However, there definitely comes a point where you might require some extra help. It’s important to remember that you’re not weak for needing it — nor is it something to be embarrassed about.
💡 TIP: Most universities have a student psychologist, and it’s often easier to approach them than it is to see a psychologist through your GP. If you prefer anonymity and just want to vent, there are often mental health hotlines open 24/7 for those that are struggling. I’ve made use of these before and there’s absolutely no shame in doing so.
How do you manage seasonal depression?
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