On an everyday college campus, the stigma surrounding many students is lack of sleep, binge eating some days and then not eating at all on others and constantly studying. At Waynesburg University, more than 1,000 students enter their dorms and houses at the beginning of the fall semester.
In most cases, stress is low and excitement is high. As the year progresses, midterms come and go and finals creep to the forefront seemingly as fast as the cold winds blow the dying leaves off the trees.
When the temperatures drop, fall quickly turns from brisk days to dark and cold ones and the days end faster and the nights appear to be longer.
Waynesburg students often face what some consider to be seasonal depression, a mood disorder that occurs during the same time each year. With research and data supporting this type of depression, Waynesburg University’s counseling staff works together to try to support the needs of all students at the university.
Jane Owen, director of Clinical Services and the Counseling Center, has many tips and tricks for students that can help when they begin to stress and fall into what appears to be seasonal depression. As seasonal depression occurs, many students look towards a counseling center, and Waynesburg students are no different, Owen said.
“We have many students who experience seasonal depression. Some of those students also have depression and anxiety and sometimes the [change of seasons] exaggerates it,” Owen said.
As seasonal depression begins to surface, the counseling center pushes several pieces of advice for the students, and also make some changes to the counseling area. As students come into the counseling center, they may not know what is going on and what is wrong with the way they are feeling.
“We help them identify what it is that is causing that feeling,” Owen said.“They might not be aware that there is not as much light and for some people it’s just a drastic change, especially with this latest time change.”
To support the students and the increases in depression on campus, Owen has helped to make some changes to the counseling center. The purpose of this environment is to provide a warm feeling that will give the picture of sunshine for those struggling, especially those students suffering from anxiety or seasonal depression.
Owen said that that there are some easy solutions to these problems.
“[Students can] start taking Vitamin D and B12,” Owen said. “This is not fully conclusive, but there is some research that supports that it is effective. Also planning a trip to a sunny area can help some people get through a long winter, and gives someone something to look forward to.”
Another tip Owen suggests is for students to be mindful of showers with citrusy soaps, as well as taking time to smell the soap and feel their shower. She even shares that it is important to keep eating routines in mind.
“What you eat can affect your seasonal disorder,” Owen said. “We tend to change our food habits. In the winter we tend to eat heavier, sometimes breads, meats and soups. That may have an effect on digestion and just that you feel heavy, be aware of the food you are eating. In the summer you are eating more fruits and drinking more.”
Owen said that it’s essential for students to get as much rest as possible to avoid potentially deadly consequences.
“Research shows we need more than five hours of sleep a night and studies show that when someone sleeps less than five hours, they test positive for drunk driving,” Owen said.
Owen said that students feel that more in the winter months than the summer months.
“Be aware. You need to take care of yourself in this time when finals and seasonal depression are upon us,” she said.
Owen wants every student at Waynesburg to know that they can schedule an appointment anytime. Meetings are fully confidential, and are held at the student’s own pace. All counselors at Waynesburg want to make sure the students know that the center and counselors are always there for anyone and want to support all students during this tough time of year.