It is that time of the year again: the first heavy snowfall of the winter season. It came sooner than some may have imagined and, depending on who you ask, it could be exciting or dreadful news. Regardless, the crystal masses remain.
As the semester draws to a close, and students begin to prepare for finals, the holiday spirit brought upon by the snowfall can easily be overshadowed. Many of us are worried about exams and the heaps of assignments worth the remainder of our grades looming over our heads. Even then, we should take some time to appreciate the arrival of a new season.
The winter charm of fresh-fallen snow and the warmth of seasonal hot cocoa is a concoction bound to create nostalgia and sentimentality. Leaning into the rituals associated with the cold weather is especially necessary for the stressful emotions that accompany finals. A study conducted by Professor of Human Factors and Applied Cognition Dr. William S. Helton at George Mason University demonstrated that short breaks can enhance attention and productivity, no matter the nature of the break. Studying or completing a task for long periods of time is bound to deplete our motivation and attention. So sleepless nights and hours dedicated to uninterrupted study is inefficient and unsustainable in the long term. Taking advantage of winter season festivities can be a wise decision, recharging our minds to tackle brutal courseloads.
The holiday spirit is all about togetherness and appreciation for family and friends. However, not everybody has the luxury to return home or to a conventional family structure. With that being said, it is important to extend the feelings of the holiday spirit to our peers. At the end of the day, we do not truly know what our peers are going through, or the emotions they may associate with the holiday season, good and bad.
So whether it be a short or a long break, grab some friends and go enjoy all the snow has to offer—have a snowball fight, make a snow angel, go sledding. The possibilities are limitless. Host a hot cocoa night and savor rich chocolate flavor topped with sweet marshmallows. Or, plan a gift exchange at the end of everybody’s final exams, providing a source of motivation when studying becomes overwhelming.
Though it may be easy to look at the cold weather and snow as a negative, spending time in natural environments decreases stress levels which can serve to recharge deficiencies in our cognitive performance.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is activated by seasonal changes. SAD is a spectrum; even a milder version of SAD, most commonly known as the “winter blues,” causes affected individuals to feel more down during the colder months. So though SAD cannot be dismissed by a mere change in mindset, preventative measures against SAD can be taken by spending time outdoors while it’s still light out, seeing friends and family, exercising and eating nutritious foods.
The winter season is temporary, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have any fun with it. Remember that when the end of semester stresses become too much, it might mean it’s time to take a break, for at least a few minutes. Enjoy the snowy wonderland just beyond our front doors, bake delectably spiced treats or glide across a public rink. Most of all—spread the holiday spirit to those we love most.