10 Tips to stay happy during winter

The winter months in Kirksville can be a depressing time, especially when the holidays are over. Seasonal mood disorder generally affects people during the winter season, but the lack of sunlight and the cold, damp weather can take a toll on everyone. Brian Krylowicz, licensed psychologist and director of the University Counseling Services, said that historically, February is the month when the center sees an influx of people who are new to the service. Krylowicz offered several tips to stay happy during the winter.

Use full spectrum light bulbs

Wal-Mart offers a variety of light bulbs meant to alter mood. The light bulbs provide a full spectrum of light, imitating natural light that becomes scarce during the winter months. General Electric produces two types of full-spectrum light bulbs: The energy-smart Daylight 650k and a 40 and 60 watt that is now halogen and color enhanced. Although GE does not produce this light bulb, the Mood Light Renewal is also produced by an organization whose goal is to prevent, educate and manage depression.

Connect with friends

Krylowicz said people tend to wander less during winter because there is less light, thus making it more difficult to connect with people.

"Relationships do a lot of things," Krylowicz said." "Skip over love, the concept of that which is always a factor, but if a person has a good friend and people that they just really like to be around, they tend to be happier.

"When we look at the depression and anxiety stats, what really underlies a lot of that is that if they feel like they are loved and people care for them and are looking out for them, that plays a huge role in people coming into the counseling center or not. So finding somebody who you can be in a healthy relationship with is a thumbs up."

Reflect shared stressors

A new semester is a fresh beginning for everybody, so strike up a conversation with new classmates.

"For as intelligent as Truman students are they really become hyper-critical of themselves and not as reflective of 'This is just normal crap going on,'" Krylowicz said. "Midterms

suck, it's not like 'Oh, I love midterms.'"

Although it's easier to turn on a television and zone out for a couple of hours watching "Jersey Shore," go for a run outside, or brave the crowds at the Student Recreation Center. Exercising with a group can be a reminder that everybody feels stress and needs a way to decompress. Exercise classes at the rec center. provide common ground to connect with other people. Try some of the following:

• Fab Abs with Kelsey on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

• Kickboxing with Evan on Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 4:50 p.m.

• Power Cardio with Kelsey on Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 5:25 p.m.

Surround yourself with happy people

"In life there is always something to complain about, but there is a humor to it," Krylowicz said. "Surround yourself with the right people. If you are with people who are just 'I have to get 110 percent on this test,' you can't meet that standard of what that would be."

Being surrounded by negative people is a recipe for having a negative outlook. The same is true for being surrounded by happy people. Trade in quality time with pessimistic friends for some bonding with a happy-go-lucky pal.

Don't sweat the small stuff

Krylowicz said nobody is perfect and to try not to be weighed down by the tiny struggles of everyday life.

"Happiness, I think, is knowing that life isn't perfect," he said. "Truman students struggle with that so much. When you go to your doctor and ask them their GPA in college … you are going to realize that most of them didn't have a 4.0, a vast majority of them didn't have a 4.0."

Volunteer

Prioritize life into manageable categories and understand how to know which things to care about and which things to let slide.

Kirksville might not seem to have many opportunities to volunteer, but there are several worthwhile causes that could use help. Licensed practical nurse Kelly Love works at Kirksville Manor Care with local elderly residents on a daily basis. She said Manor Care could use more volunteers to play bingo with the residents because it allows the nurses to concentrate on other tasks and gives the residents someone to interact with.

Junior Samantha Crouch volunteers several days out of her week at the Adair County Humane Society. Volunteers' tasks include walking dogs, playing with the animals and giving them baths. Krylowicz said that interacting with an animal that reciprocates affection can be good for lifting the mood and provides an opportunity for responsibility. Beyond that, doing good for others is an all-around rewarding experience.

Pamper yourself

Take a break from studies to relax and pamper the body. Color Me Red and other salons around town provide manicures and pedicures, but if you're short on cash for the month or semester, trade a back rub or a scalp massage with a friend or significant other.

Eat good food

Although it might seem obvious that people should meet their basic physical needs, it is often easy to forget how important it is to eat right, sleep a healthy amount and exercise. "If you don't sleep eight hours, you don't eat three square meals, and you don't exercise today, don't trust yourself," Krylowicz said. "And with the whole concept of not taking care of you, you are not going to have happiness. If anybody wants to see what depression feels like, just don't sleep for a day, you will know exactly what depression feels like. … If you want to be happy, you have to build the foundation, and the basics are eat, sleep and exercise. Those things will allow you to have a good life and good existence."

With several new restaurant additions to The Square, food is never lacking. There are a variety of Chinese, Greek, Japanese and American foods to choose from. But it's important to make good choices when eating out. The new Bonzai has sushi and many vegetarian dishes that are low in calories and high in protein.