Prepare Your Mental Health for Utah’s Winter Season
You likely prepare your car and home for winter. However, do you plan for your mental health? University of Utah experts urge this proactive step. Christina Kelly LeCluyse is a counseling center associate director. She emphasizes a crucial point. Mental health requires preventative care, just like physical health.
Students should not wait for a crisis. They can visit the counseling center preemptively. This action can address resurfacing grief or winter blues. “It can be really beneficial and even prevent a crisis,” Kelly LeCluyse said. All clinical services are free for students. This includes individual and group therapy.
The Unique Power of Group Therapy
Individual therapy is a common first thought. However, group therapy offers distinct benefits. It builds community and provides peer support. Kelly LeCluyse led a group for trauma survivors. She described the powerful healing in that shared space. This specific healing cannot happen in individual therapy.
Practical Strategies for Daily Wellbeing
Beyond formal services, simple daily strategies reduce anxiety. Incorporate these habits into your winter routine:
Move Your Body: Exercise is a proven mood booster. Attend a free campus fitness class. Join an intramural sport for social activity.
Use Intentional Lighting: Create warmth and comfort with soft lighting. This practice is called Hygge. Leave up holiday lights or use lamps. Consider trying a light-therapy lamp first.
Eat Nourishing Food: Establish simple routines for regular meals. Stock easy snacks like apples. Utilize campus resources like the Feed U Pantry if needed.
Connect with Others: Prioritize in-person time with friends. Schedule a recurring weekly lunch. Call loved ones who are far away.
Allow Time for Joy: Build small, happy rituals into your day. Listen to a favorite playlist. Read a fun book before bed.
Preparing your mind is as vital as preparing your skis. Use these resources and strategies. They will help you navigate the winter season with greater resilience.
