Declining Temperatures and Self Care

As we get deeper into fall with the slow approach of November, the temperatures start to decline, school seems to have gone on forever, and we often become sluggish and tired. Many people light-heartedly complain about being tired or drowning in school work, but how does the lack of sunlight really affect our health?

Sunlight and Serotonin

We all know the feeling- you’re sitting in your kitchen eating dinner at 6:30 p.m. only to suddenly realize that it is completely dark outside. The hours of sunlight become limited, and the majority of those hours are spent inside cinder-block classrooms.

The lack of sunlight that we get during those shorter days can legitimately affect our mood even cause cases of serious mental health issues.

Sunlight triggers the release of a hormone called serotonin in our brains. Serotonin is associated with a better mood, calmness, and higher level of focus. When we lack serotonin, our mood can take a turn for the worse and fewer hours of sunlight can lead us to feel groggy, low-energy, and sad.

Avoiding the School Year Slug

Finding ways to counteract the (literal) darkness is essential to finishing the semester strong. Though they might not be as cheap, convenient, or easy as sunlight, there are many other ways to boost serotonin levels, therefore boosting your mood and giving you that needed boost of energy.

Diet, Exercise, and Sleep

As high school students, we all are constantly told how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle consisting of a healthy diet and sufficient amounts of sleep, but I’m here to tell you that this can help not only your body, but your brain too.

A good diet consisting of things such as good fats, zinc, magnesium, and iron, can help to replenish that serotonin in your brain, leading to a better mood and a higher level of satisfaction.

The same goes for sleep, as not enough or too much sleep can interfere with your body’s ability to produce serotonin, leaving you feeling sluggish and tired.

Make Time for You

Science aside, as we grow deeper and deeper into the school year, it’s hard to maintain that glow that summer seems to leave us with. Bags form, stress acne arises, and each night brings seems to bring false hope of a healthy amount of sleep. 

In addition to juggling school, extracurriculars, college applications, and personal relationships, one thing that people seem to leave out is self-care. We are guilty of pushing ourselves to boost our grades upon maintaining activities, but many people seem to forget that they are deserving of time that is only for themselves, free of homework and other responsibilities.

Some things that can help with a little self love can be speaking to a loved one or a therapist, pacing yourself, focusing on positive thoughts, and rewarding yourself for small accomplishments.

Even taking one night a week where you can practice some self care can improve productivity and boost your mental health. This may be as simple as taking a bubble bath, or settling down with a good movie and some ice cream after a long week. It may also be necessary to schedule an appointment with a therapist or spend time with family in order to relieve stress and get back to a healthy state of mind.

Lowering stress and improving your mental health can boost serotonin levels and help keep up a strong semester as the temperatures decline.

Be Aware

All in all, taking care of ourselves and taking steps to avoid a large drop in serotonin can help to keep us energized the days grow shorter and shorter. While the weekend may be enough for some of us to relax and refresh, some people may require more. Make sure to take inventory of your emotions, and take the time necessary to destress and improve levels of serotonin.

Winters are long, and the stress of school certainly doesn’t help, but with proper steps, a little self care can go a long way.