“I fly to Texas to visit my family, ride my horse in an indoor ring, snowshoe and cross-country ski, cook lots of yummy food, and have friends over for movie nights.” ● Mary Wright, Lecturer, English and Media Studies
“There is nothing better than beating the freezing cold by dancing to Latin beats. Boston has some phenomenal dancers and instructors, so any night of the week you can find a place to go out and warm up.” ● Tana Ruegamer, Assistant Director, Center for International Students and Scholars
“Writing a list of stuff that I want to accomplish, kind of a winter break ‘bucket list.’ It can range from finally watching new episodes of Gossip Girl to reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before the movie comes out.” ● Amisha Patel ’12, Economics–Finance
“Drinking tons of hot tea, spending time with my family cuddled up on the couch, and catching extra Z’s. But the best way to beat the winter blahs: Envision summer.” ● Liz Sisson ’12, Marketing
“I like to partake in post-Christmas shopping at the Kittery [Maine] outlets!” ● Donna Bacchiocchi, Manager of Technical Services, Bentley Library
“I look forward to an annual ski trip to New Hampshire, as well as visiting Boston Common to see the ice sculptures or skate at Frog Pond. And what better way to get rid of the winter blahs than by drinking hot chocolate?” ● Leslie Dias ’12, Managerial Economics
“I sit and knit. After the holidays I plan new projects for gifts for family and friends, as well as for charitable organizations.” ● Deanna Chiampa, Assistant to the General Counsel and the Vice President for Business and Finance, and Treasurer
“Practicing yoga on my own at home is a great way to deal with mid-winter stress, and it’s something I can do with my daughter, as well. The most indulgent thing, however, is going from the snowy outside to a heated yoga studio where I can roll out my mat in peace. Ninety minutes later, I feel like I’ve had a massage and a vacation.” ● Liz Brown, assistant professor of law, taxation and financial planning
“I am originally from Haiti, so being introduced to winter was a big shock. I survive by playing Wii, going to movies and parties, Skyping with friends, and going shopping.” ● Mayfield Accilien ’14, Management
To Improve Your Mood, Look to the Sun
Bentley's Office of Counseling and Student Development offers this advice on staying sunny through the winter months.
• Exercise releases neurochemicals that combat depression. So do it!
• Consider investing in a light box, which mimics sunlight. The absence of sunlight is thought to be the cause of seasonal affective disorder.
• Get outdoors, even if it’s cold. Wear your sunglasses and look at the bare trees against the blue sky. Connecting with nature has been found to improve mood.
• Work with the weather, not against it. Ski, snowboard, snowshoe, ice-skate or take a walk through a local park just after it snows. Or, arrange a gathering with friends to enjoy cold-weather treats you wouldn’t consume in the summer: warm tea, hot cocoa or winter cocktails.
• Socializing is critical to general well-being and is an excellent remedy for the blahs (and sometimes even depression). Avoid the winter temptation to jhunker down in isolation.
