As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, many students find themselves struggling to get out of bed in the morning–or at least, more so than usual. If the mere thought of venturing into the chill of a 50-degree Texas winter makes you want to hibernate until spring, you’re not alone. This phenomenon, known as seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects many people each year, particularly in the fall and winter months.
For college students who already face the stress of assignments, internships and exams, the added challenge of seasonal depression can make these months feel like a flooded walk through campus in the middle of a rainstorm.
Elijah Murphy, a Ph.D. candidate, specializing in clinical psychology at the University of Houston, explained to us how SAD is linked to reduced sunlight exposure, which can disrupt the body’s internal clock.
Understanding Seasonal Depression
“The main thing regarding seasonal affective disorder is the exposure to sunlight,” Murphy said. “Folks begin to experience depressive symptoms that are related to just kind of the lack of sunlight that you were receiving during the spring and summer months.”
He explained these symptoms typically start to dissipate in the spring or summer when the sunlight hours increase, setting SAD apart from other types of depression.
For college students, the timing of SAD can intensify the stress and anxiety they already face during finals week.
“College students live stressful lives, right?” Murphy said. “And on top of stressful times, things are dreary outside. You’re not getting as much sunlight, making it a tough time to also try to combat and deal with depressive symptoms that might arise from the weather.”
It’s also important to differentiate SAD from other feelings which may arise during finals, such as stress and anxiety. According to Murphy, “when it comes to being depressed, you lose interest in things that you might have been interested in in the past.”
Murphy added, “Let’s say I really like riding my bike, and now that I’m having these symptoms of depression, whether that be seasonal affective disorder or major depressive disorder or just depressive symptoms in general, I may not have that interest in doing so anymore.”
Impacts Of SAD
Other symptoms of SAD include sleep difficulties–not just from staying up to study. “It’s physically like I’m struggling to sleep. Or it could be sleeping too much or impacting your appetite,” Murphy said.
He continued, “It impacts your feelings of self worth, so feeling helpless, feeling hopeless, feeling worthless thoughts of suicide–these are all related to depression. So those are some ways and you know not all-encompassing, but those are some ways you can distinguish depression from just ‘OK, I’m stressed out because this is just that time in the semester.’”
Healthy Practices To Combat SAD
While SAD symptoms can create a perfect storm for college students, Murphy suggests several strategies to combat these feelings. “When it comes to seasonal depression, what research suggests is that being able to expose yourself to more light is beneficial,” Murphy said.
Simple actions such as opening your window or stepping outside for a break during study sessions might offer relief. “Practicing mindfulness can be a really good way to combat some of these symptoms of seasonal depression,” Murphy said. “Being able to go outside and take a walk, just basking in the sunlight…It allows you to just be oriented to the present moment, and research suggests that it’s very beneficial to our well-being.”
While Murphy emphasized the importance of a positive mindset in combating SAD, he also pointed out stress does not have to be harmful and can sometimes even benefit us depending on our attitudes towards it. Murphy also highlighted the importance of hope. “Hope is associated with lower levels of depression,” he said.
If SAD symptoms persist, Murphy recommends looking further into the concepts mentioned. “Knowledge is power… just equipping ourselves with knowledge and saying, ‘OK, this is what this is and I can do something about it,’ can be really empowering,” Murphy said.
Seasonal Depression Resources For Coogs
While seasonal depression can be challenging, it is important for students to recognize help is available.
The University of Houston offers various resources to support student health, including Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS for short, and the Wellness Center. These resources provide individual counseling, group counseling and workshops on stress management and mindfulness.
If you’re feeling low this winter, remember it might not be just the academic grind or the chilly Texas mornings–seasonal changes could be at play.
Taking proactive steps, such as implementing small, daily strategies, fostering a positive mindset and seeking support when needed can be the first steps to brighter days ahead.
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