As we head into winter and begin navigating the dreaded daylight savings time change, it is common for people to experience changes in their mood, energy levels or behavior.
For me, I find myself getting tired earlier in the night, feeling like I need to get up earlier in the morning and just overall feel like I have less energy during the day. For others though, the change in seasons is more serious and the cause of what is called seasonal affective disorder.
According to Mayo Clinic, SAD is a depression disorder related to the change of the seasons, and people who are affected usually begin experiencing symptoms in the fall that continue through winter.
Young people under the age of 24 are also more likely to experience SAD than older adults according to Psychiatry Advisor. The stresses of academic responsibilities can also have an effect on developing SAD or make the effects of it worse.
While this time can be difficult for students for many reasons, there are resources available to help. The ETSU Counseling Center offers free counseling for all students and staff. This semester, the center is offering ongoing services via phone or Zoom call, single session therapy and the more informal Let’s Talk program. They also have the Bucs Press 2 program, which is a mental health hotline.
For anyone who experiences SAD or symptoms of it, help is available whether one just needs a one-time session or continual counseling throughout the season. Furthermore, this semester in particular is hard on all of us, and seeking out resources like the counseling center if one feels overwhelmed is very important.
As we approach the end of the semester, stress levels tend to rise because of final exams and projects as well as the holidays, and we all need an outlet to destress and cope. Reaching out to friends, making time to do something fun, or making an appointment with the Counseling Center are all great ways to cope with both SAD and the stress of college.
