Don't be SAD, get active

It's WINTER! That means busting out the hats, mittens and winter boots. (Uggs don't count as boots, they just soak up the slush. Ladies, you know this.) Everyone is getting a cold, and the flu gets passed around like the chicken pox in a kindergarten playground.

But, there are ways to make it through these winter blues, and it's actually pretty simple.

SAD? No really, there's something called Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's pretty common, and it's when people get depressed because of the winter. People tend to stay inside more often, sleep more and just don't have the energy to get up and carry on with their day like they normally would. It's pretty easy to get into these habits, especially around this time of year when school is starting to get stressful, but getting over stuff like this can be pretty easy if you want it to be.

This is very VP of Athletics of me to say, but exercise. Exercise can really help you in not-so-awesome conditions like this. Even if its just little workouts in your living room, dance to your favourite song, do bicep curls with cans of soup, then make the soup after. Every little bit counts, and when you're not feeling very energetic, a fun workout can help give you that little boost that you need.

Get festive with it. Fun fact: many doctors will recommend light therapy for people who become seasonally depressed. Not light as in very little, but light as in bright lights. So why not literally deck the halls. Put up your Christmas lights. It's like two birds with one stone. Happiness and festive-ness.

Optimism. Being able to see the good in almost anything is key. It's really easy to say “it's snowing, it's windy and cold and it absolutely sucks.” However, giving your self something to look forward to makes it a lot easier to make it through the day. You can even reward yourself for doing things that you normally wouldn't want to. Try not to stress yourself over things that are out of you're control. Winter happens, and probably until February, we're going to have slush, snow and colds. Welcome to Canada.

That's what I have to say about everyone getting all grumpy in the winter. I'm a huge suck for little insightful quotes, and I read/googled one about stress:

“In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive”.

It's not always just that easy, I know. But complaining just brings everyone else down. Take winter for what it is; it's just another season, and it's going to happen again next year regardless. Just let it happen.

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.