How to avoid the winter blues

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A guide to protecting your light as the darkness draws in.

It’s 4pm but it may as well be midnight as you trudge back from your lecture. The excitement of Halloween is over but the Christmas spirit hasn’t yet kicked in. Welcome to November, where the remnants of autumn create a sludge on the pavement whilst the first flakes of winter haven’t yet fallen.

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. Here are some ways to keep your spirits up this winter:

Hibernation

For the introverts out there, the long nights are the perfect opportunity to hibernate. String up the fairy lights and hide under the blankets in a cocoon of cosiness, perhaps with a Bailey’s hot chocolate in hand. This time of year is TV gold, so hunker down for some iconic shows, like the new series of “I’m a Celeb” or the highly anticipated fifth season of “Stranger Things” which drops its first four episodes on November 26th.

Activities with friends

On the nights where the icy wind and rain makes stepping outside seem repulsive, why not

have a night in with friends? Nibble on homemade cinnamon buns whilst you beat everyone

at games night. Or hunker down at the SU for their film unit, which is screening movies such as “The Conversation”, “District 9” and “Wings of Desire”.

Romanticise the season

Lastly, embrace and romanticise this season - winter can be beautiful after all. Make yourself a winter playlist to keep your spirits up as you walk back from lectures in the dark, bundled up in a fancy scarf or warm fluffy coat. Maybe cook up a wintery meal like soup to combat the cold. Definitely make the most of local events like the Christmas Markets that begin on November 13th or the outdoor ice skating rink at Meadowhall which opens on November 22nd.

There’s no denying that the winter months can be difficult. There’s something depressing

about the sun’s disappearance. But don’t mentally skip straight to 2026, there’s two months

left to enjoy. Whether that be embracing the colder weather or making memories with

friends, don’t let this season pass you by.

Edited by Abi Hall