It’s approaching that time of year where the days get shorter, temperatures fall, and the sky leans towards grey rather than blue; the type of weather that can get us feeling low, especially when paired with the mounting pressure of midterms.
Yet this time of year brings experiences that others can’t provide – especially in a city like Edinburgh, with its Christmas market, scenic walks, and architecture completely at home against winter skies. By regarding the changing seasons through a more affectionate lens, it can become a time we appreciate, helping beat the winter blues.
While venturing outdoors is beginning to require more layers, every path is becoming enveloped in the colours of autumn – a sight best seen from Calton Hill, offering panoramic views of Edinburgh. Closer to the university, in the Meadows, the trees are shifting from spring-green to all shades of orange – the perfect setting to enjoy a warming hot chocolate from Uplands Roast, piled high with marshmallows and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Plus, the changing leaves and darker skies unite to create the perfect cosy atmosphere for studying. Try taking your studies out of the flat, and meet a friend at one of Edinburgh’s many cafes – home to warm lights and steaming pots of tea – or at a study space at the university. It’s vital to remind ourselves of community, and that everyone is facing winter together – something as simple as running into friends who are also facing the battle of midterms can help this season feel less lonely.
Another way to approach the cold is as an opportunity to dress in your favourite winter clothes – items you don’t get a chance to wear at other times. There’s nothing like being bundled up in warm clothes on a brisk – hopefully sometimes snowy – day. Particularly if you’ve recently moved from somewhere warmer and aren’t quite prepared for the chill, consider treating yourself to a proper coat to carry through the coming winters and make keeping warm easier. Second-hand and vintage shops across the city, as well as pop-up markets like B’s Vintage Market, supply winter accessories in abundance, at a range of prices.
Still, it can be hard to feel upbeat when the sun is a rare sight and exam stress is high. So, treat yourself with care, especially if winter is a time you know you struggle with, particularly. It can be inevitable to slip into spells of unproductivity, and while the damage may feel irreversible, it’s never too late to turn things around. Apply this to each day – even if you sleep in or have a slow start, the rest of the day is not doomed to be equally unproductive.
Resist the temptation to lean into the winter blues; sad music may feel like the perfect gloomy soundtrack, but it can drag you down. Look after yourself the way you would someone else – consume positive media where you can, cook yourself nutritious meals, and – of course – stay warm.
Photo by Greg Pappas on Unsplash.