Western Mass Winter Blues

By: Ayesha Devani

The transition into holiday season is usually associated with warmth, comfort, and hopefully hot chocolate.  The downfall of this transition comes with something most of us like to call seasonal depression. With the sun setting earlier, a lot of us feel like our days are shorter. Lesser sunlight and colder winds make us feel drained of energy. The weather is out of our control, but how we cope is indeed something in our control. As college students, we are consistently overwhelmed by our surroundings. Exiting an academic building after a 75-minute lecture whilst the sun has set is possibly the most discouraging feeling. Self-care is a term that we usually throw around while giving it little to no importance. In a time where the weather seems to drastically impact our mood, it is important to emphasize the role of self-care. Mood-boosting exercises are a set of activities that allow us to decompress enough to then be productive and break out of the funk winter transitions leave us in.

As humans, we often depend on external factors for our own happiness. In a seasonally dull time, it is important to base our vibe off our internal likes and dislikes. This could be in the form of a healthy meal, physical exercise, reading or even socializing. As much as people mention the importance of hydration, it is something that can never be emphasized enough. Sometimes, all we truly need is to slow down and appreciate the impact the holiday season has on us. Picking up a hobby and integrating that into our routines can truly allow us to look forward to something while enjoying the present. Even though our days get shorter, enjoying the time we do have outside can truly revitalize us.

A lot of these things sound perfect but are not usually found in an everyday college student’s routine.  Winter is usually associated with finals, which only amplifies the impacts of seasonal depression. Socializing, even in the smallest form, allows me to personally appreciate my surroundings more. Knowing that we cannot control many aspects of fighting winter blues, we need to emphasize the importance of acceptance. As young adults, change is the only constant in our lives. In accepting that weather changes and adopting a different and consistent routine we find the key to staying happy amidst the blues. For many of us, enjoying the winter season’s simple pleasures like Christmas decorations, horror movies or even seasonal beverages we allow ourselves to see a better and more wholesome aspect of weather change. Many of us living on the east coast have an illusion that college students on the west coast live a happier, fuller, and quite literally, sunnier life. However, change in weather is an example of all other changes that we will face at some point in our lives. We must accept our different, sadder, and duller emotions, to appreciate the happy ones.

References:

https://jennyinneverland.com/2022/11/07/mood-boosting-winter-activities/

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/winter-indoor-things-to-do-36822433 

New Brand Moves in the Fashion World

By: Melanie Rosenblatt

Brands are constantly changing and evolving from partnerships to new product launches. Ranging from skincare to fashion, brands are unpredictable. Here are some of the most fascinating changes within fashion/skin care brands that have recently surfaced in the media! 

Burberry x Minecraft 

One recent brand partnership that caught my attention is the Burberry Minecraft collection being advertised across various social media platforms. This collection includes a variety of pieces with Minecraft elements. The classic plaid Burberry printed scarf with Minecraft bees on it, a Burberry tee shift with a Minecraft character in the background and many other new designs. This collection is unique and out of the ordinary because it features the widely known pixelated design of the game that is recognizable. Minecraft also added a Burberry game feature like the Burberry printed block, so the collaboration promotes both brands on their platforms.  

Asics x Solana 

The sneaker brand, Asics’, has made a huge technological change within their newest sneaker launch. Their new sneaker has been created alongside a blockchain network provider called Solana. This sneaker will

only be available for purchase with crypto currency, so buying it in store with cash is not an option. For a mainstream brand, this is extremely revolutionary as this is one of the first movements that is pushing Web3 interface. With each purchase, each customer will be gifted with a special NFT. 

Lush x Stranger Things 

Lush, a reputable skincare company which is a familiar brand to us, has launched a brand new line likely to excite Stranger Things fans. They have unveiled two new bath bombs called the ‘D8’ and the ‘Rift’. One resembles the dice used in Dungeons and Dragons, a key part of the show engraved with the number eleven to represent the main character, Eleven. The other dice the ‘Rift’ represents the inside out and the rip that was formed between the dimensions. This collection comes in a duo set and features two specialty cards related to the show. 

It is interesting to see how brands collaborate with one another in order to market their products, and get consumers interested! These partnerships catch people’s eye because of the bizarre combos. 

Sources: https://fashionunited.com/news/fashion

How to Craft the Perfect Sunday Reset

By: Rachael Doyle

After a fun and eventful weekend, you may find yourself waking up on Sunday morning feeling terrible- not to mention the hit of overwhelming anxiety that comes when anticipating the upcoming week. Trust me, for me this is a weekly occurrence. You probably wake up and sit in your bed weighing your options… 

On one hand you could stay in bed all day watching TV and eating snacks with a bottle of Advil by your side, trying your best to ignore the Sunday Scaries creeping up on you all day. In theory, this is not a terrible idea. 

On the other hand, you could suck it up and head to the library (or whatever study location works for you) and stressfully grind out all of the assignments you avoided all weekend that are now all suddenly due at 11:59. This is also, in theory, not a terrible idea (but it’s just not ideal). 

In reality, the perfect Sunday routine combines both rest and relaxation with productivity. You need to acknowledge the recovery that your mind and body need from a long week completed, while also preparing yourself for the week ahead. This is usually where the problem arises. How do you balance taking care of yourself while getting what you need to do… done? Where do you even start?

To be transparent, there is no perfect answer. However, I’ve given a little insight into my Sunday reset routine to show you what works best for me. I hope to give you a little inspiration on ways you can try to improve your wellbeing before your week begins, when you may need it the most.

Take Care of Yourself

After waking up and scrolling on TikTok for 20 minutes, I usually (eventually) get up and kick off my Sunday reset by taking care of myself. I’ll hop in the shower, do my morning skincare routine, and put on a nice comfy outfit. Taking the time to care for myself just helps me refresh my mind and body and set me up for a hopeful productive day! 

Reset Your Room

Once I’m ready, the first thing I do is clean my room. The saying that a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind is so accurate, and often I find myself feeling so much more overwhelmed with work when I’m surrounded by laundry and loose papers. Even small tasks like rearranging my desk and wiping countertops makes such a huge difference, especially since the dorm rooms are so small. Once my room is clean and organized, I feel so much better and ready to tackle the rest of my day.

Run Those Errands!

Not only is Sunday usually the busiest day for homework and assignments, but it is also when most people are due to go grocery shopping and complete those other small necessary tasks that come to mind. Personally, I love running errands, so once my room is clean, I will sit down at my (now freshly cleaned) desk and make a list of everything that I know I’ll need for the upcoming week. Whether it’s groceries, household items, or even just little things I’ve been wanting. It all gets written down. Then, I am off to Target! Going on a Target run is honestly the highlight of any day, and I genuinely look forward to this end of the weekend/beginning of the week trip! Finding joy in little things like a Target run makes Sunday reset that much more enjoyable. Not only is it fun to browse around, but it is such a productive part of my week. I also always make sure to stop at Starbucks on my way out for the perfect Sunday reset coffee!

Start the Grind

Once my errands are done and I’m back on campus it’s usually the early afternoon and the perfect time to start my work! I’ll almost always head to Isenberg and start the grind. Isenberg is especially nice to work from on Sundays, as it’s nice and quiet with light shining down from the panels in the Hub creating the perfect ambiance. I'll pull out my planner and write out my weekly schedule, noting any assignments I need to work on for that week. Using a planner is especially helpful to see everything I have coming up but also helps me prioritize and plan the week ahead. Then, I’ll get started! 

Make sure to fill your Sunday reset routine with activities that allow you to set your mind and body up for success. Maybe for you that could be going for a walk, getting in a nice workout, or making sure you have time to read. Whatever sets you up for success- do it! As someone who used to really struggle with procrastination, using a Sunday reset routine before starting my work has been such a huge help in clearing my mind and putting me in a productive headspace to get work done. It helps me compartmentalize the seemingly endless list of things I need to get done. It puts me at ease to know I am heading into a new week with my best foot forward! 

Fall with Friends in Amherst!

By Riley Bailey

At this point in the semester I’m sure you’re getting overwhelmed with work and probably can’t wait for Thanksgiving break. I can’t believe it's already so close! In the meantime, it’s important to take time to yourself and explore the many things to do around Amherst to help you destress, take a break from the schoolwork, and enjoy the fall weather. These are some of my favorites!

Atkins Farm 

Take a trip to Atkins Farm! Atkins Farm is a gateway to fall during this time of year. It feels like you are walking straight into fall. There are pumpkins, apple cider donuts, pies, and fresh food from our local farms to choose from. My friends and I like to go there for breakfast on the weekends because they have amazing egg sandwiches! I highly recommend taking a trip to Atkins to destress but also because it’s a staple Fall destination in Amherst. 

Pumpkin Carve 

There are so many local farm stands located throughout Hadley and Amherst. Grab a few of your friends, go buy pumpkins and carve them together! My friends and I did this last week and not only was it fun but it distracted us from our busy lives at school. We were also able to support a small business! 

Go Hiking 

A little bit past Atkins Farm there is a beautiful hiking trail at Bare Mountain. It’s about a two mile hike - one mile up and one mile down. It’s definitely steep but the view at the top is worth it. You can see all of UMass and almost all of Amherst at the peak. There’s so many other great hiking trails around Amherst as well. Get outside! It’s so good for your mental health and physical health plus, it can really help you decompress. I recommend going with a friend! 

Norwottuck Rail Trail 

Not far from campus there is the Norwottuck Rail Trail. It’s a very scenic trail (especially in the fall) and has entrances all around Amherst, Northampton, and Hadley. The easiest entrance for UMass students is on the corner of South Pleasant Street and Snell Street. If you have a bike, great! If not, just take a walk!

Developing a Healthy Relationship with Exercise after High School

By: Lisa Freeley

I, along with many of my peers, participated in organized sports throughout high school. I played field hockey in the fall, ice hockey in the winter, and ran track in the spring. When asked to describe myself, the first word that came to mind was “athlete”. Being an athlete played an enormous role in my identity as well as my day-to-day life. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that my first couple years of college felt a little off. My favorite form of exercise was skating, but how was I supposed to do that after high school when the ponds are only frozen for about a week during the winter, ice time is expensive, and I no longer have a community of girls to share it with? Things were different and I had to adjust. College life requires a whole new method of dividing your time. My priorities shifted onto managing my class schedule, developing a career path, and making new friends. 

My first year of college was entirely remote, so I got into the habit of going to the gym with a friend almost every morning before class. My second year, however, was spent on campus, fully indulged in college life, and waking up to lift every morning at 7AM was simply not an attainable goal. I found myself neglecting my physical health. To make matters worse, I had it ingrained in my mind that working out was only worthwhile if I lifted heavy, sweat through my clothes, and pushed myself beyond my limits. When I did decide to work out, I was so sore and exhausted that I would feel unmotivated to do anything for the next week that followed. I knew I needed to change my routine.

I recalled my high school habits, which frankly were unhealthy and draining, and felt jealous of the person that I used to be. Busy with my back-to-back schedule, I would often only have time for one meal, or I would purposefully eat just enough to scrape by. I remember reading that one banana supplied you with enough energy for 45 minutes of exercise, so my dinner before 8-10PM practice was two bananas. *This is simply not true, and you should absolutely eat a full, balanced meal before a rigorous workout!

Today, when I reflect upon those habits that I fell into during high school, I feel ashamed. Moreover, when I consider my early college self, desperate to somehow revert to that lifestyle, I feel immense sadness.

Truthfully, there is no easy way to navigate life after high school, and fitness can be an especially challenging area for those of us who transition from the structure of organized sports to being completely on your own. The reality is, I was never on my own. I now realize, there are so many others experiencing this same dilemma, and only I have the power to fix it. College is an opportunity to redefine fitness for yourself, which can be a fun and empowering journey. 

Personally, I have found that signing up for fitness classes at the rec is a manageable way to weave exercise into my busy schedule. Classes occur at the same times each week, so it’s easy to create a routine out of attending classes that you enjoy. Additionally, the instructors consistently emphasize maintaining a judgment-free space and encourage you to take breaks and modify workouts as needed. UMass also offers club sports and intramurals, which can be an exciting way to either pick up where you left off in your high school sport or try out something new. 

Of course, there are always those days when your workload begins to sort of suffocate you, and fitness gets moved to the backburner. On those days, I make a point to move my body in other ways for the purpose of getting my heart rate up and feeling good about myself. This may be as simple as walking to the furthest dining hall from your dorm. I live on the 21st floor of my building, so for me, sometimes opting to take the stairs gets the job done.

Ultimately, working out is not supposed to make you feel badly about yourself. Speak to yourself with kindness and understand that fitness looks different at varying stages of your life. By opening myself up to new forms of fitness, I discovered that rollerblading is very similar to ice skating, so when I come home from school, my friend/former teammate and I like to go down to the Cape and rollerblade the Canal Bikeway. I have grown tremendously since high school. I am a smarter and more confident person than I was in high school. To compare myself now to that person would be silly.