Surviving Winter as an International Student (pt1)

Winter can be an exciting season for international students because, for most of us, this is the first time we see snow, try out snowboarding, skiing and many more. Yet, the excitement does not last that long since the sun will hide itself in the next 6 months and the cold can get much harsher.

The most common downside we can see during winter is the winter blue. The lack of sunshine and outdoor activities can make us more vulnerable to sadness, stress or in some cases - depression. For this reason, it is significant for us to have a specific plan to deal with the reality of the winter.

Here are what I have learned after experiencing 5 winters in Canada.

Enjoy the excitement

Whether it's the 100th time you have seen snow, the beginning of winter can transfer you into completely different moods and vibes. Starting with the most holiday events of the year,

we have Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Year. Also, you can get the best from the biggest shopping sales: Black Friday and Boxing Day.

Dreaming of kissing your love under the first snow, or just going out and enjoying the beauty of it. Everything seems more intimate and lightening during the beginning of this very season. The best thing we can do to is to enjoy these moments with our friends (and families) in a foreign country.

For some of the students, the many "first time" can start here! "It is my first time seeing snow!", "It's my first time celebrating Christmas". No matter what your "first time" is, it is the season everyone is looking forward to the end of the old year and a new beginning.

Surviving the winter blue

Not long after all the excitement, the reality can "hit you hard". However, it is very common for you to feel blue and sad since the sky becomes more daunting and the night is longer. As international students, we can be subject to other vulnerabilities since many of us are living without our families and close ones.

A little blue won't kill you, but it is necessary to know how to take care of yourself to avoid the risks of depression. Here are some of the things that you could do to survive the winter blue.

1/ Intake the vitamins: physical health plays an important role in your mental health as well, when your brain feels healthy, it keeps your mind healthy. The most popular vitamin in Winter is Vitamin D3 (which you can easily find in any Walmart and drug store). This is also known as the sunshine vitamins, which will help you to regain the benefits that we have had in Spring and Summer.

2/ Get together with your friends (at least once a week): the cold can make people feel comfortable just staying at home. But we as humans are social beings, doing get together with your friends in the winter is essential because it can help to get you out of the daunting winter days. A little meal together at home or an overnight stay could be ideal.

3/ Planning your day efficiently: dark cold days can make you feel like doing nothing is the best. Therefore, planning out the day accordingly can help you avoid procrastination due to the invisible factors of winter.

4/ Taking a short walk: when you feel like being stuck in your room and there's nobody there to share with you. This is the sign you need to take a short walk. A short walk can help you feel refreshed and get you out of the current mood.

Next part:

1. Surviving the winter storm

2. Surviving the boredom