Winter warmers: Seven ways Glasgow students can fight off the blues

With November already here, and the coldest months of the year coinciding with exam season – here are some top tips for beating seasonal depression, from least to most effort!

Let light into your spaces

I’m not saying you need a mirrorball, but the picture speaks for itself.

Start simple! The reason most of us feel a bit off during the darker months is because our body’s natural pattern of creating serotonin and melatonin is being interrupted. To minimise this, try letting as much natural light into your spaces as possible. Yes, even if you are still having a bed rot day (we all need them sometimes).

Drink (more) water

On a similar par with my previous tip, drinking water can do a lot to help keep you happy throughout the dreaded wintertime assignment season. Our brains are primarily water, so by keeping hydrated we allow it to continue functioning properly. In fact, it is recommended to drink 1.6 litres a day – so full out that emotional support bottle you inevitably have but don’t use, and get chugging!

Get outside

A puppy and a pastry, what more could you want?

What’s better than getting sunlight? Getting it whilst also experiencing some fresh air!

Most Read

There’s a really good reason why Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers aren’t red in Wicked

Tulisa’s ex-boyfriend offers his take on her shocking transformation and demisexual label

The journalist behind the Wicked ‘holding space’ meme has finally explained what she meant

We are so lucky to have so many gorgeous green spaces around the city that are accessible by public transport. Spending a bit of time breathing in the fresh air and reconnecting with nature after countless hours staring at a computer screen has been proven to reduce depression and anxiety. Combine this with a takeaway coffee, a pastry, and some friends, and you’ve got the perfect afternoon study break!

Limit alcohol intake

Let’s be real, we all love a good pub night until the next morning. Waking up with a haunting case of anxiety is awful at the best of times, even more so when it’s still dark and you’re heading to a 9 am.

Here are some suggestions for fun sober activities you can do by yourself, with flatmates, with friends, or with a rando you meet on the street (Maybe don’t do this).

Brunch: Nothing like a breakfast skillet and flat white to start your day.

Cinema: My personal fave, especially for solo date nights.

Book shop/charity shop crawl: A fun day out and you get to support local businesses and charities too!

Pottery painting: Another personal fave. A little bit pricier, but relaxing in one of Glasgow’s multiple pottery workshops and bringing home something you’ve made is bound to put you in a good mood!

Eating well

Spicy sweet potato and carrot soup

The low-energy vibes of winter make “just grabbing” dinner very appealing. But the impact of sugary carbs on your mood is far from appetising. Incorporating complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, peas, lentils, and broccoli into your diet will help stabilise your blood sugar levels, alongside your emotions.

My top tip for this is soup. More specifically, “whatever vegetables I can find in the reduced section” soup. Cooking up your favourite veg with a couple of stock cubes and some lentils is a simple, budget-friendly way to have these complex carbs on hand. Perfect for batch cooking and freezing, soup is the perfect winter lunch.

Exercise

A Sunset walk in Kelvingrove Park is a great way to break up those long library days

The NHS attest that regular exercise will significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, suggesting that the best way to do this is by group exercise classes. There is such a range of classes available at local and university gyms – something will surely catch your eye!

If you’re looking for a lower-budget option, a walk with friends combines many of these tips into one!

Reach out!

Lastly, reach out. It’s okay to find the winter months hard, but if you or a friend is feeling especially down, I encourage you to speak to someone. A friend, your GP, and even the university student wellbeing services are a good idea. Be kind to yourself and get the right help.