Upper School News

List of 2 news stories.

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  Seasonal Affective Disorder

  2/5/2025
  Feeling SAD?

  
  

  Not that kind of sad—I am talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression typically occurring in the winter months). Now, while I don’t think many of us qualify for a clinical diagnosis to this degree, I do think we West Texans might be experiencing something missing. Maybe that something missing is the sun and the warm, walkable weather? Some of us may be experiencing some winter weather blues.

  
  

  Last week, I remarked to some of my colleagues that something seemed off with Winnie (the therapy dog). She wasn’t acting differently necessarily, but she just seemed a little…off? sad? I tried all the usual things of giving her time off, extra walks at night and in the morning (primarily during dark hours because of scheduling), special treats, and even more love. It felt silly to tell people that the therapy dog seems off whenever she was still her normal self–just doing more of her squeaky yawns and seeming a little pouty and unmotivated. I went through the whole week and finally decided that maybe she had caught the end of trimester blues, even though she still very much wanted to attend school and be a part. 
  
  

  But then, Friday afternoon rolled around. School was out, the weekend was almost starting, and kiddos were gone so she was off her leash and walking with me to finish up some tasks between the Middle and Upper School. Before I knew it, I heard a whine from her and she was uncharacteristically running away from me towards the recess area. I called to her and she hesitantly stopped, but kept wagging her tail at something I couldn’t see—kids playing football in the back turf area. They quickly welcomed her into the sunshine and supervised football game and she had so much fun catching the ball, being chased, and running circles with them. She was the happiest she had been in at least a few weeks.

  
  

  Duh–That was it! She missed the sun and movement. 

  Winnie and I walk many laps around the track with students during the warm weather–most days clocking around 8 miles. But, it has been so cold and dreary that most of our time is spent in an office with students these days, and walks are primarily in the dark of night.

  
  

  It made me wonder….how many of us and our students are feeling just like Winnie? Something is off, but we can’t quite put our finger on what. If you are feeling sad for no apparent reason, unmotivated, excessively tired, worried, or just run down, you might be experiencing the Winter Blues. 

  
  

  Some tips for beating the Winter blues:

  • Get outside when you can!
  • Take a walk outside daily!
  • You may need to add some extra Vitamin D to your daily diet! (Consult your doctor, of course.)
  • Limit screen time–especially before bed and first thing in the morning!
  • Be honest with how you are feeling with a trusted adult.
  • Open windows and turn on lights in your home during normal daylight hours. 
  • Fight the feeling of wanting to stay home in bed—add extra social activities, and go out of your way to meet up somewhere outside of home such as a park, restaurant, outdoor activity, etc. 
  • Eat healthy—try especially hard to get food into your diet that grows from the earth, food with extra vitamins, and food that will keep you energized!
  • Don’t get in the sit pit! Move your body every single day, especially whenever you don’t have the desire to. Stretch, walk around the house, do some outside housework, whatever gets you moving!
  • Add things into your routine that lift your spirits—a special meal, time with a friend, etc.
  • Maintain a routine! Get plenty of sleep and try to keep a detailed schedule during this season.
  • Remember this will not last forever—don’t lose hope, the sun will come up tomorrow! (And the warmer weather will return!)
  • If your feelings persist, talk to a professional—your counselor or physician can help!
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  The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical

  2/5/2025
  Don’t miss Trinity Upper School's production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! Join us February 21, 22, and 23 at the Yucca Theatre for an unforgettable performance. 
  
  Click here to purchase tickets!