Sadie Says - Time to Beat the Winter Blues
Welcome to Winona in the Winter!
Happy January from Minnesota, aka everyone’s favorite
cold weather haven! If the -20 degrees wasn’t enough for you, the seemingly
endless bouts of snow and torrential windstorms are just an added bonus to a
standard Minnesota winter.
With this miserable weather upon us, it’s safe to say
we’re firmly entrenched in some seasonal depression. It’s difficult to get out
of bed some mornings, with the overwhelming desire to waste away the day, hiding
under a mountain of fuzzy blankets and weighted stuffed animals in your dorm.
This being said, just because the weather is currently negative, it doesn’t mean you have to be! I am here to tell you that we can still take advantage of every chilly day and make the most of it. Here are some tips and tricks on how to be your best self and beat those winter blues this snowy season!
#1: When in doubt, work out!
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine was surely
onto something, but I personally believe that exercise is even better for the
soul. However hard this discipline may be, trust that you will feel so enriched
after braving the cold to trek to the RAC to get a good sweat in.
The benefits far outweigh the cons. Our bodies release
hordes of positive chemicals when working out, like dopamine, serotonin, and
endorphins, causing us to feel more fulfilled and satisfied with ourselves. These
can serve to erase those heavy feelings of seasonal depression, even for a
moment.
Working up a good sweat can feel incredibly rewarding,
as well. As a student athlete on campus, I need to stay on track with my
fitness and keep myself in shape. Setting that early alarm to go run and lift
can definitely lead to doubts about love for the sport or your commitment to it,
but every run or lift I accomplish is a demonstration of my discipline.
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| Photographic evidence of a sleepy Sadie ready to put in the work on a cold winter morning! |
#2: Embrace the cold!
Yes, the outdoors are incredibly treacherous
currently, but this doesn’t mean you can’t bundle up and embrace it every once
in a while.
The opportunities for winter activities in Winona are
endless, with cross-country skiing, ice skating, and more, but a personal
favorite of mine is sledding. With enough layers and the promise of hot
chocolate afterwards, you’ll find me hiking up to the Saint Jon’s hill in order
to feel a much-needed adrenaline rush.
This past weekend, I trekked across campus to result
in many wipe-outs, facefuls of snow, and windburn, but the joy I found in
sledding with my friends with incredibly comforting (the hot cocoa afterwards was
definitely a big plus). This simple activity had me reminiscing on childhood
memories at home and made for a fun evening.
#3: Treat yourself – a sweet treat never
hurt anyone.
If there’s one thing about me, I am a sweet treat girl
to my core. I always need something sweet to tide me over after a meal, and I think
that rings truer than ever in the winter months.
I’ve taken up making sweet treats of my own in the BroWill
kitchen as a fun, stimulating activity to get off my phone and get to cooking!
This past weekend, I made churros with two of my
teammates, acting upon a spontaneous craving during another subpar meal at the
Caf. Rather than going out and spending money on this delicacy, we thought, “why
not make it ourselves?”
Long winter nights have nothing on these churros!
The entire bowl we made was gone within seconds. I
will most definitely be acting on these sweet treat cravings throughout the
semester, with the opportunity to spend meaningful time with others and a devastatingly
delicious reward.
#4: Feel what you need to feel.
So often the focus during the winter months is to jump
headfirst into everything, so you don’t have time to feel overwhelmed or sad. The
emphasis on New Year’s Resolutions and building good habits in fitness, eating,
and schoolwork can overshadow the equal importance of showing up for yourself
on a daily basis.
There’s no need to make a drastic change the second
the clock hits 12AM on January 1st. Instead, doing something for
yourself each and every day, no matter how quick it is, is a testament to your
strength.
Some of my personal favorites include:
- Having a dorm dance party (Taylor Swift songs required)
- Journaling my feelings and working through them - they always say the pen is mightier than the sword
- Calling my friends and family from home to keep in touch with them
- Getting off campus and experiencing what Winona has to offer
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| Appreciate the beauty around you every single day! |
