Let’s be clear, I’ve always hated winters. I think they’re too cold, especially here in North Carolina, and way too dreary. Yet these past few winters have been worse than usual for me. Winter of my high school junior year hit me hard. One cold, rainy day, I decided I was just going to stay in bed. Before I knew it, I had essentially hibernated my way through the winter. I was sleeping more than normal, lounging in bed all day and neglecting my responsibilities. What I thought was my own sheer laziness was actually a sign of something more serious: seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as seasonal depression. 

Seasonal affective disorder is actually much more common than people believe. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 4-6 percent of Americans have serious seasonal depression, while another 10-20 percent have milder symptoms of the disorder. Symptoms of SAD include irritability, excessive tiredness and oversleeping. 

Seasonal depression has a big impact on college-aged students. The average onset of SAD is between the ages of 18 and 30. For college students, the late fall and winter months, which are typically when SAD occurs, are crucial. The symptoms of SAD usually begin in September, when the school year is starting, and they progressively get worse. The peak of SAD happens right around finals, in December or in January, in time for the start of the second semester. The symptoms of SAD can seriously impact college students’ abilities to focus on their classwork and examinations. 

However, there’s a lot people can do to ease symptoms of seasonal depression. Most SAD cases can be attributed to the lack of sunlight in the winter. It’s getting dark earlier, and the cold weather keeps many people indoors for longer periods of time. The Mayo Clinic states that a drop in serotonin related to lack of sunlight can trigger depressive symptoms in people. 

So, fellow Wolfpackers, even if it’s cold: You have to go outside. Walking around campus already helps, as exercise also benefits mental health. But sitting in sunlight is crucial for helping SAD. If you’re also stressing about finals, that can worsen depression. Try stress-relieving activities, call and talk to a friend or simply just take a break from whatever is stressing you out. Even short breaks can be helpful to your mental health. For more severe cases of SAD, light exposure therapy is a good option. And there’s nothing wrong with seeking therapy or other mental health treatments if you need those. Seasonal depression can be very serious. 

Brace yourselves, Wolfpack. Winter is coming. It’s natural to experience depressive symptoms during the winter months. Yet, those symptoms don’t have to majorly impact your life.