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Nikitha Katanguri

Preparing for Winter: Staying Healthy Mentally and Physically

The transition between autumn and winter can be overwhelming for many, especially with the rapid changes in temperature, unpredictable weather, and the reduction of daylight presence. Your physical and mental health may be impacted by all of these seasonal changes. For example, struggles with mental health can occur such as seasonal depression, increased academic stresses, and more. Physical health is also affected by winter because of all the risks of icy weather. It is very common for individuals to experience allergies and/or colds during this season due to the effects of cold temperatures, along with respiratory/skin issues. Although both of these realms of wellness are considered vastly different, the maintenance of both mental and physical health has many similarities. The following tips apply for benefiting both physical/mental health and allow you to prepare better for winter.


  1. Obtain enough hours of sleep! Specifically for students, despite the piling up of schoolwork during this season's transition, it is extremely important to prioritize your physical health over your academics. After all, a lack of sleep can affect numerous aspects of your life: physically, you will experience more fatigue and weaker and mentally, sleep deprivation can affect emotions tremendously. Therefore, it is best to ensure that you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night (or however many which allow you to feel energized and fulfilled!).


  1. Spend time outside! It is very common for many people to stay inside and withdraw from physical activity when the winter arrives, especially because many activities (such as biking, swimming, and kayaking) are more associated with summer. However, individuals can keep doing physical exercise outside, despite the temperature change, because winter brings opportunities of its own. For example, you can hike outside and enjoy the marvels of nature (as long as you wear suitable clothing to not risk getting sick). Jogging, skiing, and snowboarding are all exciting outdoor activities to try as well, along with shoveling snow or raking leaves! Either way, spending time outdoors should not be limited to warm weather -- enjoying the outdoors (as long as you dress warmly) during winter is an excellent way to maintain both your physical and mental health.


  1. Practice beneficial health activities! Although this tip is more on the mental wellness side, it is important to set aside a bit of time each day to work on mindfulness practices. These activities include journaling, meditation, or stress-relief activities such as using coloring books or listening to soothing music. Again, although present tasks seem pressing and stressful, simply spending 15-30 minutes working on yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself.


In conclusion, these three tips are essential in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. It is important to remember that the transition from autumn to winter is not simply a seasonal change; this transition may lead to both physical and emotional changes, so preparing for winter will help ensure that you stay healthy throughout the season.



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