Beatrice Glaviano ’26 understands that seasonal depression can be a challenge. She offers advice to her fellow Chargers, as well as encouragement to help everyone cope with winter weather, changing seasons and “seasonal vitamin D deficiency.”
October 6, 2023
By Beatrice Glaviano ’26
Beatrice Glaviano ’26 in the university’s Peterson Library.
Hello Hello. How’s everyone’s week going? GOOD? Bad? Somewhere in the middle, but almost bad? Yeah, I got it. I’ve really felt like I’m inside a half-melted ice cream sandwich lately. As cooler weather sets in and with it a significant amount of rain and wind, I feel it is important to recognize a certain discomfort that occurs at this time of year:
Seasonal depression.
You (the normal, sane person): “What good are a few falling leaves going to do?” Make us sad?
Me (caffeinated, dumbbell-loving, and frankly less than sane author, squinting at my laptop): “Oh, bro, you’re going to collapse.”
(The author laughs at his horrible joke about his father and continues writing).
Over the past year or so, I have definitely noticed a change in my emotions throughout the seasons. Although I’m a very bright and bubbly person in the spring and summer, I kind of transform into a sort of Mom-Jean Batman during the cooler months. Why does this happen? I mean, a lot of it is probably due to the lack of sunlight and my aversion to cold temperatures (although I’ll win a snowball fight or die trying), but I think seasonal depression has to see with much more than a lack of vitamin D.
Throughout history, seasons such as fall and winter – especially winter – have been seen as a time of survival that only the bravest of humans managed to get through. This trend was particularly visible in Europe, North America and parts of Asia, with these continents being most affected by winter cold. While we as a society have clearly managed to combat the elements with the invention of ovens, down jackets and freshly made hot chocolate, the sticky feeling of “blah” remains stuck to the bottom of our knitted socks.
And maybe it doesn’t have to do with us, but with the world we surround ourselves with.
Winter is both a season of death and creation. Common celebrations such as Christmas and New Year (which vary among individuals, given that we all have different religious and cultural backgrounds) highlight the newness that will come each year and why we, as a human race, do not We should not despair when growth is there. at the street corner.
I haven’t really delved into my personal beliefs on the blog yet, but I think now might be the time to start that. As someone who grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, certain moral and fundamental values have been instilled in me since I was a child. However, a very profound statement that comes to mind is “dust to dust, light to light” – or something like that – which means that we are returning to where we came from: the Earth (creation).
So, about a decade later, I’m a Roman Catholic Buddhist who enjoys doing Tarot on the weekends. I believe that because we come from Earth – we are literally just a collection of organic and inorganic compounds thrown together, mind you – and we are an inherent part of nature as a whole. It makes sense that we might feel sad when a flower loses its petals or when a fawn cannot find its mother. We have empathy, respect and love for the natural world around us because we are also part of it.
Having grown up in an age where technology is increasingly prevalent, I’ve noticed that we become very arrogant about our place in the natural hierarchy of things. While humans are considered the most intelligent mammal on the planet, are we really? If we were so smart, why are we destroying the world we get our food from? If we had the intelligence to build and achieve amazing things, why do we spend so much time destroying them?
There are many questions here, and it is these deeper analyzes and questions that can lead us to be a little disappointed. Life is no longer the same as before. There aren’t as many “white Christmases” or mourning doves cooing on the electrical wires outside your house. There’s less magic in life as you get older, and I sometimes feel like that awareness tends to get a little too real at times.
Béatrice Glaviano’s workspace.
Before we go too far, let’s stick to the topic at hand: seasonal depression. How can we manage this?
As someone who has been through the winter blues, I think “dealing” with seasonal depression may not always be the best way to go. So often we run from our emotions, hoping that if we do, maybe we won’t need to deal with them, which honestly doesn’t (and won’t) work in the long run. Oddly enough, I’ve discovered that allowing yourself to feel what you feel is the best way to cope. Cry about what you need to cry about. Hit a pillow. Go do your favorite workout and then eat the best, cheesiest bagel egg sandwich.
However, I would like to note that it is okay to suppress your emotions if you know you do not have time to recognize them or cannot recognize them. Who said you have to tackle everything at once in the first place?
Last winter I went through a really difficult time. Many people suggested I go to therapy, but being the stubborn, overly independent, and rather cynical person that I was, I didn’t do it.
Instead, I searched for myself. Perhaps the healing process would have gone faster if I had gone to therapy, but looking back, it was something I had to do for myself by looking to myself for guidance. Doesn’t that sound confusing? Well, it was. It took months of work: journaling, angry gym sessions (punching bags are very effective), crying into a pillow for the thousandth time, but here I am.
However, when it comes to dealing with seasonal depression, here are some of my best tips and tricks:
- Stay warm.
- If you’re a living lizard like me, you know that sometimes a cold gust of wind makes you want to run in the opposite direction. Dressing warm and comfortable during the winter can really help prevent this! I highly suggest choosing a pair of thick, fuzzy wool socks, proper winter boots, a firm scarf, and your coziest winter coat.
- Cozy blankets and favorite hot drinks. These are also on the list.
- Daily Gratitudes (and Affirmations, if we feel them)
- Establishing what you’re grateful for can really put a spin on things, even if it’s just being happy that pasta exists or something small like that. Honestly, the smaller and more inconsequential the thing you’re grateful for, the sweeter life can become.
- I’m so grateful that banana bread exists, guys.
- Please don’t be a “dorm dweller”
- I know, I know – we love our dorms. I remember, as a freshman, the first time I called my college dorm “home.” I never thought I would do this in my life, but here I am doing it again. However, you cannot always stay in your residence. Spending time outside is very important, even if it is at a distance. During the winter, settle in library For a little. Grab a coffee and people watch while hanging out with a friend, and try to figure out what new romantic romance is brewing in early December. Either way, just make sure you get outside, even if it’s just for a walk or run. At least try. And if you can’t do it yourself, contact us.
- You’d be surprised how many people want to help you, even if you don’t think they do.
Alright. Since I have class in a few moments, I’ll probably take my leave. Hopefully this article has taken a new grounded stance on seasonal depression and how to deal with it. I know it might be a little early to talk about this, but to be very honest with you, maybe the sooner the better.
With that, I hope everyone is having a great week and that the semester is going well. Good luck to those who have midterm exams!
Peace, love and lots of peanut butter, everyone.
Be a
Beatrice Glaviano ’26 is a major in nutritional sciences at the University of New Haven.
