Weekly Wellness Newsletter - Winter - Week 4

Winter Quarter, Week 4

Art Open Studio (AOS) is a collaborative, relaxing environment for students to explore artistic expression and find community with other students. The space is meant to be fun and informal, as students can participate in the monthly theme or make use of other supplies as they see fit. No art experience is required to take part in AOS. All supplies are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This week, we’ll be making zines: small booklets where you can include images, words, or anything that speaks to you!

Now that Chicago temperatures have started to dip into the negatives, it’s more important than ever to find new ways not only to stay warm, but to beat the winter blues. About 52% of Midwesterners report a decline in mood in the winter!

Winter can be challenging, particularly if you aren't used to cold weather. Below are a few tips to help brighten your mood and help you excel through the wintertime!

Soak Up As Much Sunshine As You Can
- Bright light in the morning when you wake up is especially effective in easing the winter blues. Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you can’t pull back the blinds and enjoy the benefits of a little sunshine!
Engage in Some Regular Exercise
- Regular exercise can boost both energy and mood. Plus, there are plenty of exercises that get your body moving and can be done right at home. A great way to stay motivated is to gamify your routine, set a goal, or download a fitness tracker that helps you reach weekly milestones.
Try to Prioritize Social Interaction, Even in Small Ways
- It can feel like a lot to interact with others when your mood isn’t at its best. Without pushing yourself, and while still getting the proper amount of alone time, try to find small, manageable ways to connect. Whether that’s a FaceTime call, a Chicago event, or even running a quick errand with a friend, a little interaction can go a long way.

A'lyssa has been at Student Wellness since May 2025. She’s been a nurse for six years, and a nurse practitioner for two, and she really enjoys connecting with students here. She loves getting to know people, hearing about what they’re studying at UChicago, and working with the Health Promotion team, which includes going out on campus to meet students and share resources Student Wellness has to offer.

A'lyssa understands that the winter blues can be especially tough, particularly for people who aren’t from the Midwest and aren’t used to the combination of cold and darkness. Her biggest piece of advice is to try to move your body at least once a day, even if it’s just a 10-minute YouTube workout. She also notes that, because Chicago gets so little sunlight in the fall and winter, many people have low vitamin D levels, which can contribute to fatigue, low energy, and mood changes. She recommends taking a daily multivitamin that contains vitamin D, if appropriate.

When she’s not working, A'lyssa loves plants and often jokes that she probably has way too many in her apartment. She enjoys rollerblading and loves to look into older architecture and learn how it was designed and built.
Her last piece of advice is to always remember to rest when you need to. Rest is just as important as productivity, and you’ll do your best work when you’ve taken time to care for yourself.

Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice from Southern Illinois University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; ANCC Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner

Do You Want to Build a Snowman: Find Out What Winter Activity Fits You 🎿

Despite the freezing temperatures, Chicago winters do bring some glorious snow...perfect for enjoying classic winter activities! Buzzfeed conducted a poll of the 16 most popular winter pastimes, so now it’s time to see which one you think takes the crown. My personal favorite is building a good snow angel, but we’ll see what you decide!

S.A.D: The Science Behind Winter Blues

This video dives into Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) and how it affects some individuals, especially during the colder, darker months. It breaks down the science behind why our mood can change with the seasons, which is thought to be due to shifts in light exposure or increased rumination over the winter. Some scientists even believe that some cultures that embrace the winter months are less likely to experience S.A.D.

If seasonal changes are affecting how you’re feeling, Student Wellness offers a variety of resources for students, including short-term therapy, restorative yoga (bundle up in a warm blanket!), and mindfulness meditation (Bond Chapel gets nice and toasty), which are designed to reduce stress and strengthen resilience. Click below to learn more.