Wisdom Wednesday #15 - The Symptoms of Winter Sun

Happy Wednesday, welcome to Wisdom Wednesday’s 16th installment! I’m so grateful to be writing to all upon the spring of the second semester for most of all and the end of all midterms! I wanted to emphasize that you have survived this academically rigorous time but I hope you practiced some mindfulness during all the studying for exams and other responsibilities the crazily busy high schooler might face. Today I’m going to be discussing the side effects of the lack of vitamin D and fitness during the peak of the Wintertime.

My chemistry teacher earlier today referenced… with me asking “Do you do any physical activity?” he replied shallowly… the depression purging in the winter. My chemistry teacher like most of us hasn’t of late kept up with runs, gym workouts, or any related activities that are so crucial to our physical and mental health. While the physical aspect is fundamental I wish to emphasize the mental side of things as the colder months bring a sense of gloom within the best of us. It has been proved in multiple studies from the NIH that the Winter Sun being that it produces less vitamin D leads to anxiety and depression. It can lead to sentiments of laziness, despair, or most negative feelings that wash away in the vibrant Summer Sun. The inability of the general population to seek outside air or activity… be that even more extreme… ravishes as most of us want to stay cozy. The inept physical activity enhances mental deterioration as we all feel that intense solemn sense of stress, unproductivity, stagnation, and alienation.

Importantly, as you’re most likely a student in one way or another these effects are more prevalent. Students of any capacity but especially high schoolers with college dreams lingering are extremely spread thin with extracurricular, social, academic, athletic, or familial priorities. Wintertime promotes an even higher degree of sadness as a result teenage depression expands during this season. With Midterms and college applications if you’re a senior this could have been especially tricky to manage. It’s crucial to understand that you’re a child and are vulnerable in this developmental stage on a myriad of levels. Waking when it’s pitch black doesn’t exactly make you smile, and neither does coming back home after a long day of exams, clubs, or sports when you can only see the moon if you’re lucky.  

Practicing mindfulness and fitness is crucial to keep you’re self physically and mentally afloat during this annoying cycle of shorter days. I would jump for the stars and layer up to take a brisk walk by your neighborhood if there’s still light out or go to a gym if you don’t already once or twice a month. Taking vitamin D supplements, staying with friends and family, and stretching when you awake or when you’re about to doze can also work. But this is subjective a las, movement that clears your mind and puts some sun on your skin even if it’s a hilariously low UV is just the fix. 

Thank you so much for reading this and I wish that you think about some of these open-for-adjustment methods. Don’t be scared to make up your own, but don’t lock yourself in your room when this world needs your sunny presence. Be mindful of how much time you’re inside, even sunlight is an amazing strategy. You’ll survive another Winter just like this one so remind yourself that divine spring is forthcoming in March!

- Anthony Ortega, Elizabeth Town Representative
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