How To... Get Out of your Seasonal Funk
By: Declyn Keiser
It’s that time of the year. It’s bleak and gray outside with dirt in the snow and slush everywhere. The only holiday we’re looking forward to is St. Patty’s Day and we are holding onto the hopes of Spring weather. How do we get out of this funk when it feels like classes are getting harder, there’s nothing to do, and you can’t go outside without wearing five layers? This week, I’ve tried to uplift myself out of this do-nothing mentality and I have some tips for crawling out of your seasonal depression.
The first on my list is to go outside! Yes, it’s cold, but mind over matter the Hudson Valley is absolutely stunning when it’s covered in snow. My lovely Measure team and I stopped at this pond on the way back from Eastdale this weekend and we sat alongside the water at a picnic table to eat our bagels. While we definitely needed our coats, it was such a nice reset to be out in nature instead of cooped up in my apartment all day.
The second tip is to try something new. I got so tired of constantly ordering food from Chipotle or Panera so my boyfriend and I decided to try making a meal. We found this steak taco recipe off of Instagram Reels and I made a mango salsa. I cannot cook at all, so it was so satisfying to make something that actually tasted good.
My third tip is to prioritize getting your work done as soon as possible. I used to be the biggest procrastinator and would spend my weekends anxious about getting my homework done. It genuinely ruins your mood and prevents you from having as much fun as you should be having. Try getting all your stuff done by Friday so you can actually enjoy your weekend breaks. I feel infinitely more present when I’m not stuck worrying about that huge assignment I haven’t even started yet.
Number four is to spend time with your friends! I’d be going stir-crazy if it wasn’t for living with my besties. Winter can make you feel so isolated and the social scene gets kind of dead. Just being around people who can make you laugh is so important for your well-being. My friends and I will always try to get coffee together when our schedules line up and we’ll constantly watch movies at home when it’s too cold to leave the house.
My final piece of advice is to watch some nostalgic movies and TV shows. I just binged How I Met Your Mother and it was the sole thing (other than the gallons of Gatorade I consumed) that got me through having the flu all of last week. My housemates and I have also been rewatching Friends which is always a classic.
The most important thing to remember is this weather is only temporary and soon enough we will be wearing tank tops and going on the Walkway on the Hudson again. Spring is right around the corner and so is Spring Break! I hope these tips help you fabulous readers get out of your seasonal funk.