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We have all suffered from cabin fever at one point in time or another. Some experience this, or the winter blues in varying levels of severity. In fact, according to Carolla Pfortner, the chair of the Psychology Department at Madison College, “10 percent of people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder in Wisconsin.” Seasonal Affective Disorder (appropriately referred to as SAD) is similar to the winter blues – just stronger. If you aren’t familiar with SAD, here is a list of symptoms that it may include (provided by Mayo Clinic): 

• Oversleeping 
• Tiredness or low energy 
• Weight gain 
• Appetite changes (specifically an increase in cravings for foods that are high in carbohydrates) 

Despite all of this doom and gloom, fear not. This blog series aims to provide the antidote to your winter blues. We will explore a variety of options to keep your mind and body active. Each post will focus on a different category. These categories can range from the arts, classes, museums, to sports.

So, what’s the point of all this? I personally thrive off of the outdoors when it is bright outside and the temperature is projected to be a low of 85. I appreciate winter until it reaches post-holiday time. We all used up our holiday vacation time, we set lofty New Year resolutions, and then we wait for it to be June. Since being on this Earth for 22 years, I have come to realize Wisconsin winters are not going to get any shorter any time soon (and honestly it would be problematic if they did). With college coming to a nearing end and “real life” waiting just around the corner, it is time I figured out how I am going to tackle this reality. I think waiting until January to start being better is a little bit silly, so I’m embarking on this journey now. 

Join me in the crusade to make winter exciting again. What are your favorite methods to beat the winter blues? Leave a comment below!