As daylight savings time draws to an end, it’s a sure sign that shorter days and much colder weather will follow. This often means that even the most dedicated of medical students will find themselves having difficulty focusing on their studies. As a matter of fact, up to 20% of the population experiences varying degrees of depression during the winter months.
The good news is that there are some steps you can take to help keep yourself as motivated as possible to keep up with your studies at this time of the year.
Sunshine is Essential
As a medical student, you’ll often feel as though all you’re doing is studying and trying to find gaps in between to eat and get some rest – meaning that spending some time outside may not seem like a high priority on your list of to dos.
While studies have revealed that the majority of individuals cannot obtain their daily Vitamin D from sunshine during winter, this doesn’t mean that you should abandon all attempts to go outside at this time of the year. Even spending 15 to 30 minutes outdoors when it’s overcast can be highly beneficial for your mental and physical health in winter.
Invest in a Light Box
During winter, many individuals experience a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that can cause mild to severe depression. Even if you don’t suffer from this condition, it can be extremely challenging to get anything done when it gets dark and cold a lot earlier than usual.
A good light box is designed to mimic natural sunshine by emitting a bright, warm light in the room it’s being used in. If you decide to use one of these, it’s recommended to do so before 10 am for approximately an hour each day.
Examine your Diet
Eating enough of the correct foods as a student can be challenging, but it’s important to ensure that you’re consuming a diet that’s as balanced as possible while studying.
Consider including foods in your diet that provide energy, help reduce inflammation and give your brain the boost it needs to remember everything you’re learning about. Options that fit this description include wholegrain foods, fruit, vegetables, homemade popcorn and starches and carbohydrates in moderation. Energy drinks and sugary snacks to be kept to a minimum, as these provide little to no nutritional value for your body.
Keep your Studies Simple
Colder weather usually makes it far less appealing to go out and join a physical study group. However, thanks to the CanadaQBank platform, you’ll be able to get in as much study time as you need without having to venture out into the cold.
Remaining motivated to study when the days are shorter and darker can seem impossible at times, but keeping the above-mentioned tips in mind can help ensure that you get in enough learning time – to the point where you’ll be able to pass your medical licensing exams with ease.