The approaching winter season brings with it several challenges. One of them is how to stay healthy and happy during shorter days, while navigating snow and ice, especially with an uptick in flu and other cold-borne illnesses. The resilient students of York have their own strategies for coping with the challenges of winter.
Sixth-year PhD student in English literature, Joti Bilkhu, explains that she tries to stick to a regular workout schedule. Even when “it is cold and [she] does not want to go outside some days,” she puts on her coat and opts to walk in her backyard. She finds that the “fresh air is really important” for her focus throughout the day.
At home, Bilkhu does strength workouts, while also attending taekwondo classes twice a week. She feels that the exercise keeps her limber. During the winter especially, she finds it important to stretch to prevent stiffness and injuries. She thinks of physical activity as non-negotiable. “It’s not optional, it’s a must-do and just as important as my grad school work,” she remarks.
Meanwhile, Terry Li, a second-year visual arts student, shares that he likes to keep his room well lit during the winter. He says, “It seems like a weird thing, but when the sun goes down at 4:00 p.m. and the sky darkens so early, it evokes a sense of dread that I can only defeat with a good old lamp.”
Like Bilkhu, Li also stays physically active: “Being more active doesn’t have to mean intense exercise; something as simple as putting on extra layers and taking walks to appreciate the winter scenery can be beneficial for both your body and your eyes!”
Parteek Aulakh, a second-year law and society student, uses her sun lamp to help replicate the feeling of sunlight to boost her mood. She also loves “engaging in winter activities, like making gingerbread houses, enjoying snow-related activities, and setting up for Christmas.” Aulakh also spends time with family to help her keep connected. “Whether I am relaxing with a good book, or simply pausing to reset, these small routines help me stay happy and create a sense of warmth during the colder months,” she says.
Although Zohreh Daeizadeh, a fourth-year PhD student in English, is just studying most of the time, she tries to go to a restaurant with her friends once every week or two. They get together and enjoy winter sports as well. As Daeizadeh share, getting together with friends and being social helps her to not feel alone and it recharges her energy. She allocates five to six hours on the weekend for social activities.
Christine Cooling, a second-year MA student in communication and culture, takes warm baths, practices gentle yoga, and takes vitamin C supplements to boost her immune system.
Exercise, finding alternatives to sunlight, promoting social connections, and being consistent in your routines can all help in making sure that you are as healthy and happy as possible during the winter. So, bundle up, stay connected, and prioritize your well-being — here’s to thriving, not just surviving, this winter season!
