New England is known for a lot of things, but one of the most famous is the ever-changing weather. The most treacherous season of the year in New England is most definitely the winter, which at times seems like it will last forever. While some people love the cool winds and powdery snow for skiing, there is another segment of the population that finds the winter unbearable. It is not surprising that a condition has been identified relating to the winter blues.
USA Today reports that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition distinguished by depression, social withdrawal, overeating, and weight gain, and it affects an estimated 15 million people in America. What makes SAD different from other forms of depression is that it is triggered by the change in weather from the long days of summer to the shorter, darker days of winter.
"Because SAD is a disorder that has only been officially recognized for the past 15 years or so, it's something that is difficult to diagnose," says Nancy Baker, associate director of administration and Nursing Health Services at Boston College. "Most times, Seasonal Affective Disorder is diagnosed after a lot of research on the part of the patient's therapist."
Most people experience some sort of winter lull, and students at BC are no exception. After the winter holidays, the gray skies and snowy sidewalks can become a source for contempt and no longer inspires warm, fuzzy feelings.
"Around Christmastime, the winter weather sets the tone for the season, but when it's February and you're getting the third snow storm of winter, it gets to be a bit much," says Sarah Smith, CSON '09. For people who were born in warmer climates, the difference in weather patterns can be extremely difficult to get used to.
Da Hye Kim, A&S '09, from Muscat, Oman, says how different her winter experiences have been since her time in the United States. "I'm from in the Middle East where I basically live in a desert, so it's incredibly different from here. The most depressing thing about the winter is that the trees are dead, and the skies are gray. It's all so bleak sometimes," she says.
Because people tend to favor the summer months over the winter, it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that if someone "doesn't feel like going out" in the snow, they are suffering from SAD. The only way to know for sure if someone is suffering from SAD is to seek professional help, however, there are some signs to look for, according to www.sada.org:
•Sleep problems: Usually desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake but, in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening.
•Lethargy: Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine.
•Overeating: Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods.
•Depression: Feelings of misery, guilt, and loss of self-esteem: sometimes hopelessness and despair, sometimes apathy.
•Social problems: Irritability and avoiding social contact.
•Anxiety: Tension and inability to tolerate stress.
•Loss of libido: Decreased interest in physical contact.
•Mood changes: In some sufferers, extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (over activity) in spring and autumn.
If you find that these signs don't apply to you, but you still are wishing for summer days, you might be suffering from a more common affliction, "cabin fever." Cabin fever can cause irritability, restlessness, and a feeling of being trapped. Fortunately, there are simple things that one can do to alleviate these affects.
The most common symptom that most BC students can identify with is lethargy. "I definitely notice that there are times in the winter that I am so tired that it almost hurts. It can be so hard to drag yourself out of bed and go to class," says Christine Rodrigue, CSOM '09. Although lethargy is only one of the symptoms associated with SAD, it can be highly disruptive in one's everyday life.
A contributing factor toward the increased feelings of lethargy is an overall lack of exercise and an increasingly poor diet. Students are put off by the slushy snow and cold weather and begin to exercise less and order take-out more. Together, it's not surprising that people are finding their energy zapped. In order to combat these feelings of lethargy, proper nutrition and exercise are a must. Frequently, however, students find it difficult to motivate themselves to go out to the gym or the dining hall.
"I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and I grew up in Singapore where it's 30 degrees Celsius [86 degrees Fahrenheit] all year round. It's been extremely hard getting used to winter; it's unnatural really. The thing that depresses me the most is the ice, falling is awful," says Meghan Kirkland, A&S '09.
This fear of falling or the dislike of walking through the snow and ice are common deterrents for students.
There are ways to still pursue proper nutrition and exercise even from the comfort of your room or apartment. If you don't want to go out in the snow to go to the gym, try using an exercise tape.
Having a regular exercise routine will drastically increase energy and alertness throughout the day and help with sleeping difficulties. If you do not feeling like trekking to the dining hall in the snow, and feel the need to resort to take-out, keep in mind that there are healthier options available. Try ordering from a restaurant that offers balanced meal options rather than sticking with Chinese food or pizza.
The lack of sun can be another of the more difficult aspects of winter. For treatment of SAD, doctors recommend the use of light therapy, which involves sitting under fluorescent lighting. Even if you do not suffer from SAD, purchasing a lamp with a fluorescent bulb can still help give you a taste of the sunlight you miss and can make it easier to make it through the long winter months.
Winter can be a difficult time of the year for many people, but soon enough, springtime will be here again
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