In the Loop Newsletter
Jan 22, 2025
Dear Huskies,
How is听the听Seattle winter treating you? You may have noticed that winter here brings chilly temperatures and shorter days. If you are feeling听a听bit down during this time, don鈥檛 worry.听In听this newsletter, we will share with you听the听science behind wintertime rhythm changes, tips to help you thrive during听the听winter months and plenty of 91探花and community activities that you can participate听in.
奥颈苍迟别谤听in听the听Pacific Northwest may feel differently depending听on听where you are from. If you come from听a听warmer climate, such as Brazil, India, Kenya or parts of Southeast Asia, you might find听the听wet, chilly days more challenging to adjust to.听On听the听other hand, if you’re accustomed to colder winters, such as those听in听Canada, Russia or Scandinavian countries, you might appreciate听the听region’s relatively mild temperatures and miss听the听snowy days听at听home.
Regardless of how you remember winters to be, it is听a听good idea to prepare for what this season might bring. First and foremost, dress appropriately for听the听weather to protect you from catching听a听cold and keep you warm and dry听in听the听Seattle drizzle. Second,听the听long absence of sunlight can take听a听toll听on听your well-being. Investing听in听a听happy lamp (a.k.a听full spectrum light) can give you听a听daily energy boost especially听on听the听darker days. You can also check out light therapy lamps for 30-minute intervals听at听the听Health Science Library for free. Finally, winter is听a听time for rest and restoration. Incorporating plenty of root and earth vegetables as well as warm soups and broths can bring you comfort.
Preparing for winter also involves finding joy听in听seasonal activities. We encourage you to not only brainstorm new ways to enjoy听the听season but also make concrete plans to spend quality time with your friends. As听the听academic quarter tends to pick up pace quickly, now is an ideal moment to reach out to friends and set aside some time to explore new activities together.
As you create听a听list of things you look forward to this season, we want to highlight听a听few resources from 91探花and beyond that might be of interest:
- Learn about听the听Wintertime Mindset:听Dr. Kari Leibowitz,听a听health psychologist, explores how Norwegians stay positive during听the听dark winter months听. Listen to听听or read听the听e-book via 91探花Library to learn more.
- Take听a听Free Educational Tours听at听the听Washington Park Arboretum:听听of nature even听in听winter with free guided tours听on听the听first Thursday of each month.
- Work Out听at听the听IMA and Explore with UWild: IMA offers听听and听听that can help you stay fit and relaxed.听If you prefer something more adventurous, check out听the听听program for activities like sports climbing and snowshoeing.
- Go to听a听Husky production: Do you enjoy theatre, music or dance? Catch听a听performance organized by听the听,听听or听听at听low or no cost! Check out departmental websites for exciting new plays, orchestra performances and dance concerts.
Additionally, we welcome听the听Lunar New Year听on听Jan 29 this year. Lunar New Year is an important festival celebrated听in听many Asian cultures, including China, Vietnam, Korea, among others. It marks听the听beginning of听the听new year based听on听the听lunar calendar, which follows听the听cycles of听the听moon. It is听a听holiday rich听in听cultural significance, symbolizing new beginnings, family unity and听the听hope for prosperity and good fortune听in听the听coming year. If you are celebrating or want to be听a听part of it this year, don鈥檛 miss out听on听the听Lunar New Year Fair听at听Wing Luke Museum听on听Feb 3 from 10:00听a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Further, Seattle Center is also hosting听a听Vietnamese New Year celebration听on听the听same weekend with good eats and festivities. Last but not least, check out听听below.
However you choose to spend your winter months, we encourage you to stay active, seek communities and find meaning听in听the听colder months of听the听year. We also invite you to read CIRCLE Student Advisory Board鈥檚听听where you can learn more about their vision and accomplishment. As always, CIRCLE is here to advocate, engage and support you听at听UW. Feel free to visit us听in听250 Schmitz Hall every Monday through Friday from 10听a.m. to 4 p.m. for office hours. Drop听in听and talk to听a听friend!
Community Resources
Stay Informed with ISS
ISS is here to provide ongoing support and guidance for all international students. They offer immigration advising and regularly compile important听, tax filing requirements, employment opportunities and other essential topics. We encourage you to stay tuned to their blogs and emails for听听and valuable resources. Don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Explore Workshops for Personal Growth
This winter quarter,听the听 91探花Counseling Center is organizing听a听series of wellness workshops that aim to create听a听supportive environment for personal growth. Each workshop addresses听a听unique area of needs. Whether it is facilitating effective communication or building resilience, you will acquire valuable tools that can be applied听in听a听variety of settings.听听and attend听the听ones that speak to your needs.