Seasonal depression can affect students everywhere, and Grayslake Central High School is no exception. GCHS school counselor Matthew Aberman said seasonal depression is a symptom of a darker, colder time of year. “With lack of sunlight, it usually makes us more tired. Spending less time outside can lead to less time socializing with others,” said Aberman. The lack of sunlight and vitamin D we get in winter affects our serotonin levels, making us feel more anxious and more depressed, which has serious consequences for students facing academic and outside pressures already.

Seasonal depression has several consequences such as grades dropping and low energy. Grayslake Central school counselor Nicole Downey said, “Just in general, like it’s harder to accomplish the things that need to get done in the winter.” When it gets colder out, students lean towards not doing their work and procrastinating it, rather than just getting it done. Students also have a lower energy levels during the winter because of the gloomy skies and the cold temperatures. “It’s been pretty dark, like cloudy dark, also, which has not been helping. It’s been raining,” Aberman said. Students are prone to falling into bad habits like procrastination when the temperatures are colder and the days are shorter.

Despite the darkness that seasonal depression prevents, there are a few solutions to help ‘let the light in.’ Mr. Aberman suggests getting a light therapy lamp. “We actually recently just got a light therapy lamp. So students are welcome to come down and ask their counselor or social worker to use that, and there’s a lot of science behind the light therapy and how that improves seasonal affective disorder,” Aberman said. Another option could be going to speak to a trusted adult within the building or even just your parents at home if you are feeling out of character or have increased thoughts of depression and anxiety. Seasonal depression can take major toll on students’ ability to stay focused, but there are options available to help lift you out of a potential slump.