How to stay out of the winter rut

Winter is well on the way, and whilst that brings holidays, family time and lots of fun, it also brings the dreaded winter blues and deadlines. Winter life can be hard for anyone: bills go up, the weather drops off, and winter sadness kicks in. But when you’re a uni student this can be exacerbated with deadlines, exams, and finding yourself homesick for the first time this year. Yet, with the tough times upon us, there's always a way to push through and not find yourself in a winter rut.

It’s easier said than done, but one of the most important things is a consistent schedule. When the winter months creep in, it’s easy to get complacent. Letting yourself sleep in because it’s still dark, or skipping out on plans because it’s too cold, it’s all a very slippery slope into becoming a winter hermit. Whilst it’s important to prioritise rest, sometimes becoming isolated can actually make everything worse even if it feels like what you need. This doesn’t have to look like crazy nights out and attending every social event, but maintaining your class and study schedule will be helpful - particularly so you don’t fall into the cycle of having to catch up.

Maintaining some form of healthy diet also does wonders for your mood. Eating well increases your energy levels and can combat that winter slump. As we go into darker months, adding foods full of vitamin D, or taking a supplement, is a good way of fighting off winter sadness. The sudden lack of sunlight depletes our vitamin D levels in the winter which can lead to fatigue and just generally feeling a bit rubbish. Therefore, prioritising your internal wellbeing can be a way to increase your mood in these darker months.

Along with the cold, some of us may be taunted by the dreaded winter illnesses that come out in this season. Combined with the general winter rut, it can make it feel impossible to get out of bed when you find yourself sneezing and coughing all night. As well as the vitamin D, if you’re feeling particularly under the weather, a vitamin C supplement can help. Vitamin C helps your immune system and can fight off those nasty cold and flu viruses that circulate every year like clockwork. In addition, stocking up on winter remedies like herbal teas, soups and hot water bottles can help fight back your illness and prevent any future fomo occuring.

It can also help to find joy in the winter. Throwing yourself into society balls, christmas markets, movie nights, and snow related activities can all bring happiness into the dark days and make it all feel not so bad. Looking forward to going home for christmas, getting excited for presents and prosecco on christmas day, and just generally counting down the days until the end of the laborious semester one can all help you remember these days will pass soon. And whilst you're getting all your end of semester exams and projects out the way, make sure you don't forget to make time for plans with your friends or even solo adventures to give you an escape from university pressure. 

Winter is the marmite of the seasons, you either love it or you hate it. But unfortunately, regardless of how you feel about it, you have to live through it. So make it easy for yourself. Surround yourself with happiness, lean on those there to support you, and maybe even make some summer plans to look forward to. 

Edited by Phoebe Huzij