Hopping off the Struggle Bus

    January through March is a tough time for students. Coming off the high of winter break, students are submerged back into the frigid waters of school, and it takes a bit to remember how to stay afloat amidst strenuous assignments and looming exams. To quote Mr. Sepich, during the third quarter of our school year, “the vibes are off”. Learning why our brains experience a short-term shutdown during the final months of winter and how to preserve our mental health and boost productivity is crucial to surviving the second semester.

    Mr. Kresse-Bond, one of our amazing Northfield High School counselors, provides some insight into the matter. Third quarter, students tend to experience everything from increased self-harm and suicidal ideation to more frequent tardies and absences. The extended periods of short days and stagnant cold have a far greater impact on mental health than we give them credit for, and beyond that poor weather can cause interruptions to our routine by preventing us from participating in our usual activities.

    This slump in mental health affects everyone, and it’s not something to just shrug off. It’s critical to acknowledge the struggles we face without “rose-colored sunglasses” or looking for “silver-linings”. The next step is to create routines that help maintain the health of your body and mind. In the winter it can be especially challenging to exercise because not everyone has access to indoor gyms, but as Mr. Kresse-Bond highlighted, even walking around a shopping center can be beneficial. So long as you’re getting out of the house, and getting some movement in, you will be doing yourself a world of good.

    Maintaining routines is also crucial to preserving a healthy state of mind. Mr. Kresse-Bond points to our sleep and screen time routines in particular. Getting a consistent amount of sleep and committing to a sleep schedule helps to make your circadian rhythm more constant, and helps you wake up refreshed in the morning.

    In terms of screen time routines, we rarely take the time to analyze the effect of what we watch on our mental health. As Mr. Kresse-Bond says, “being intentional with the programming you allow into your home” can greatly improve your mental health. That doesn’t mean completely crossing horror movies and dramas off of your to-watch list, but mixing in some comedies can certainly have a positive impact.

    Although this article covers a good variety of coping skills, different things work for different people. Figure out what helps you, and dedicate time to it every week. Third quarter is a rough time for everyone, so be sure to be patient with yourself and with those around you.

    If you need any additional support, please feel free to reach out to our school counseling team, or call/text the numbers below in case of a mental health emergency.

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (text or call)

Text an anonymous crisis counselor: 741741