What is seasonal affective disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is, according to the Mayo Clinic, “a type of depression that’s related to change in seasons—SAD begins and ends at about the same time each year.” SAD can appear with different symptoms in summer but has been traditionally prominent in colder, darker months. Now that winter is here, it’s important to examine how, if at all, SAD could be affecting your performance academically or socially.
Recognize the Symptoms: Symptoms of influenza include cough, sore throat, runny or congested nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes fever and vomiting. While flu symptoms are often similar to cold symptoms, a key difference is the sudden onset experienced with the flu. If you suddenly experience some or all of these symptoms, you may be contagious. Stay home and rest, so you can heal and avoid spreading the flu. If you suspect that one of your friends has the flu, encourage him/her to limit contact with people, as well.
It’s that time of year again! Unfortunately for us, finals coincide with flu season and an unlucky combo of stress and sickness makes it all the more miserable, especially if you’re not prepared. Here’s your guide to academic success when you’re feeling under the weather:
Your Sick Exam Kit:
You say it’s just a part of life at the University of Michigan. You talk about the stress of balancing multiple priorities and struggling to find time to take a break. Sometimes you may even worry that there’s something wrong with you if you’re not stressed out. And while there are stressful aspects of the college experience and ones we can’t always control, what you can control is how you respond to stress.
Since the end of November, us Wolverines have waged a ferocious battle against negative temperatures, painful arctic winds, slushy and snowy sidewalks, and have fallen victim at least once to a patch of black ice. With the arrival of April, we can see the light at the end of the frozen tunnel: the sun. Since many of us have not seen the sun for what seems like an eternity, it is easy to see how soaking in as many rays as we can by the pool won’t necessarily promote an active summer.