Artwork Title: International Students vs. Seasonal Depression
By: Shynel Pinto
Media: Article and Digital Art
Year: 2022
Article
SAD
By Shynel Pinto
While many International students are excited for their first winter, the experience can often be challenging as seasonal depression kicks in. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often referred to as seasonal depression is changes in mood and behavior as a result of changes in seasons.
At this time of year, adjusting to life as an international student in Canada is unusual, especially for students coming from warmer climates. In addition to seasonal depression, being apart from your family and loved ones during the holidays also takes a toll on international students along with the lifestyle changes that follow their big move. Some of the symptoms include lack of energy, hypersomnia, and general sadness.
As an international student from India, I initially noticed I was sleeping later than usual and I’d often just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. Only later did I realize that it was a common experience shared by many students who migrate from warmer countries to Canada.
The extreme temperatures often lock students indoors and the short days don’t help either. Many international students often live in basement apartments around the city to save money but the lack of sunlight and loneliness all contribute to seasonal depression. Extreme lifestyle changes along with the struggle to make friends and culture shock of a new country could be stressful and complex. The anxiety of trying to understand new things and fit in a new environment often takes a toll on a student's mental health and results in seasonal depression and can result in low academic performances, mood swings and changes in behavior.
While many Canadians treat this time of the year as just another winter, if you’re one of Centennial College’s many international students, this time of the year can be confusing and hard. Mentally and socially. To help students during this difficult time, Centennial College offers its students resources at the Centre of Accessible Learning and Counseling (CALCS). You can make an appointment with a counselor to get both personal and academic support, or book with a Peer Listener to receive peer support from students like you. Centennial also has an array of Mental Health programs to assist students with better coping mechanisms to live a balanced lifestyle, beat the winter blues and shine academically.
At this time of the year it’s important to eat well, exercise regularly and get a good night’s sleep. Simply going for a walk and giving your body the movement it needs creates a huge difference. Eating nutritious meals in comparison to take-out goes a long way, financially as well as mentally and physically. A trick that works for me is to divide my meals on how I feel. Have a set of low energy meals with minimal ingredients for the days you don’t feel like cooking and a set of snacks on you to keep your body well fed and healthy. Use Centennial’s gyms! Aside from exercise they are also a great way to meet new people and make friends.
In conclusion, don’t let the winter blues ruin your adventure as an international student! Make the most of your experience in a new country.
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Artist Statement
Your first winter in Canada as an international student is one you'll never forget. As exciting as this new experience can be, the short days and cold weather can cause shifts in your mood and daily habits, causing on the fall into a depression, better known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
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