Health in the Highlands
Your Appalachian Guide to Healthy Living
3 Ways to Deal with Winter Stress
Tips from ETSU's Counseling Center
For some, the start of winter signals the holidays, a time marked by celebration and joy. Yet for others, the gray days and long nights are a period highlighted by increases in stress, anxiety or depression.
To help, professionals at the East Tennessee State University Counseling Center have provided a range of tips to get through the cold weather months.
Everyone is different, so pick and choose what feels right for you and your personality
and preferences.
1. Up and Going
Bundling up and getting outside is a great step toward better mental health. Pressing play on a favorite playlist, hosting a private dance party, visiting a gym for a workout or new class are other great options.
2. Rest and Restore
Eating nourishing and nutritious food helps properly fuel your body. Also important: rest. While humans need quality sleep year-round, that’s especially true in winter. Practicing meditation and mindfulness can also be deeply helpful. Creating a space at home or even outside that’s quiet and allows you to express gratitude is key.
3. Connect and Disconnect
Human connection is vital to better mental health.
Having a support system and relationships is so important, and this can be discouraging
if you don't feel that you have that. To create connection and start building that
support system, try new activities.
A new hobby can help: Taking an art class or signing up for a new activity can be a good start, and ETSU hosts a range of events, many of them free.
Ocassionaly disconnecting from social media also has benefits.
We were not intended to absorb so much high-stress information,” Millhorn said. “So,
be human and disconnect – allow yourself the freedom to exist within your orbit and
not take on too much.
Need help?
Always reach out to a professional if you feel you need help. If you are in crisis or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, always call 911. ETSU students, faculty and staff experiencing a non-life-threatening emotional crisis may call (423) 439-4841 and press 2 to speak to a licensed counselor.
Credit: ETSU Counseling Center