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Winter
by Ryan Anthony
staff writer
A rolling wave crashes in the
crystal blue seashore as you change
the station on your walkman. You
reach up to remove your sunglasses
so you can bask in the penetrating
rays of the warm morning sunshine.
Another wave crests and crashes
upon itself. The sounds of the ocean
blended with the soft breeze gently
blowing across your face drown out
the sound of your music as you drift
into a late-morning nap. You
subconsciously listen to the
repetitive motion of the waves and
the smile on your slumbering face
widens. A dream drifts into your
mind: nighttime falls as you continue
to lie on the beach. The sky seems
to be filled with millions of stars;
millions of stars that fall from the sky
and accumulate on the ground
around you. You awake shivering,
wondering where you are. "Wasn't
I just at the beach?" you ask yourself.
With a dazed look around your dorm
room, you are slapped across the face
with reality. Your wonderful dream
just turned into a gloomy reality;
welcome to dreary, harsh, Erie,
Pennsylvania.
As we all know, winter ushers into
Erie shorter periods of daylight along
with cold, cloudy weather. This
combination, when combined with
an overwhelming workload, can lead
to a miserable few months for many
college students. Daydreaming
becomes a part of our daily routines
as we look for ways to make the
lackluster weather seem a bit
brighter. Daydreaming is an escape
that works for some students, but not
for all. For others, Erie winters
create potentially major mental
health problems.
Winter depression, also known as
Seasonal Affective Disorder, is
defined as a recurring pattern of
depression that occurs during the
winter months. These episodes
Jimmy caps, rubbers, trojans, or
raincoats. It doesn't matter what
name they go by, all that matters is
that they are used. In reverence to
National Condom Day, I have
devoted an entire column to the
observation of this holiday, which
happens to coincide with another
popular U.S. holiday, Valentine's
Day on February 14.
The Center for Disease Control
and Prevention has chosen the
theme this year of, "Love Me
Safely." According to the CDC, an
estimated 12 million United States
citizens will contract sexually
transmitted diseases this year
Two-thirds of the newly reported
STD cases occur in individuals
under age twenty-five.
Condoms have a rich and varied
past. Some evidence has shown
that the first condoms were used by
Roman soldiers as they used sheep
Advertise your healthy business!
Attention all gyms, health spas, doctors, and dentists, reach over 3,700 students every
month! Send your ad to us and let the campus know about your services!
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Healthy living
‘..\\
blues in Erie
generally begin to materialize during
October and November and persist
until signs of spring appear around
March or April. For many college
students,
depression causes an
already tough semester
to become even more
cumbersome.
For many students at
Behrend, it is nearly
impossible to avoid at
least a mild case of
winter depression. We
all know that once the
sun disappears around
October, chances are
likely that you will not
see it again until you
reach your spring
break destination. We
learned in second
grade science that the
sun is essential to
survival. Think of
some fun outdoor
activities, such as
golfing, swimming,
driving, and hiking.
Sunlight goes hand-in
hand with nearly all of
these. Granted, some
require warm weather,
but without sunlight,
none are nearly as
appealing. Without
sunlight, life seems to slow down to
a sluggish, unmotivated pace.
"I just get upset that I can't go do
anything," commented Abby Ballew,
a junior at Behrend. Many students
find that the winter weather
decreases their opportunities to go
out and be active. They feel that
because it is cold outside they cannot
participate in athletic activities.
Decreased physical activity is just
one of several symptoms of winter
depression. Individuals diagnosed
with winter depression commonly
experience changes in sleeping
patterns. They sleep for longer
intestines as their sheath. Others
believe that the condom's true
birthplace was in Japan, as the
Japanese used thin leather and
tortoise shells to fashion condoms
Still others think that the ancient
Egyptians gave birth to this form
of contraceptive, but no one can
say for sure.
One can see where the use of
condoms just may come in handy.
Condoms come in various sizes,
textures, colors, and even flavors.
Condoms are also sold with
spermicide, Nonoxynl 9, which is
especially recommended for those
engaged in sexual activity. One
may find condoms made of latex or
natural skin, which is lamb skin.
The problem with the skin condom
is that it is a natural membrane
with tiny pores that may allow a
microscopic virus to pass through.
Condoms may come lubricated
winter
Sa and Tears
°°=` Everyone grab a
"raincoat" for
Valentine's Day!
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periods of time and take more naps
throughout the day. Apartment
resident Jerod Bollord finds himself
napping constantly throughout the
Karl Gressley wales a snowball at the unsuspecting profes
sors that stress him out as they walk by.
school day. It is also difficult for
students experiencing winter
depression to get out of bed in the
morning and get moving. Students
who are normally "morning people"
sometimes have trouble waking up
and getting started on their day.
Another symptom of winter
depression is an increased appetite
accompanied by weight gain. This
is due in part to a lack of physical
exercise during the winter.
Individuals may also become
fatigued more quickly by physical
activity during an episode of winter
depression.
with either a silicone substance or
a water based lubricant, or one
may prefer the non-lubricated kind
The use of condoms during
intercourse, of course, greatly
reduces the risk of contracting
STDs such as chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, and AIDs.
Spermicides are effective and work
by killing sperm and certain
microorganisms, which can lead to
some sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition to the prevention of
STDs, condoms are also helpful for
preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Combined with spermicide,
condoms are usually 98%
effective.
Of course, the only fool-proof
method for preventing pregnancy
and the transmission of a sexual
disease is abstinence. But, let's get
real. This is a college campus, and
national statistics show that over
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A final symptom found in people
suffering from winter depression is
general apathy and sadness, which
are common in all types of
depression. We all surely know
someone who is a bit more irritable
during the winter months. Not
surprisingly, these apathetic attitudes
usually disappear as spring and
warmer weather approaches.
Winter depression is not caused
totally by persistent cloudiness.
Though winter depression is
commonly thought of as a mental
health disease, it is part physiological
as well. Our bodies operate on an
internal clock that allows us to have
a daily rhythm of activities. This
circadian rhythm is "set" by our
environment's light and dark cycle.
50 percent of all college students
are sexually active. Penn State
reports that over 7,000 new STD
cases are diagnosed each year.
This statistic is alarming because
for some the diseases are
potentially deadly.
Condoms are designed for use
during anal, oral, or sexual
intercourse. However, they are not
a panacea for all diseases. Some
infections, such as genital warts
and herpes can still be spread from
partner to partner through genital
to-genital, oral or anal contact,
even with the use of a condom
Many STDs have no immediate
symptoms. Some may be treated
with antibiotics or other
medication. Some STDs have no
cure. Four million people in the
United States alone will be Struck
with an STD some time this year,
and one in three sexually active
youngsters will contract an STD b 3
the age of 24.
So this Valentine's Day, make
sure you protect the one you love.
Remember to wear a raincoat
because the weather can be a little
stormy. Good luck and have a
Happy Condom Day!
4 '
•-•
Studies have shown that changes in
this light and dark pattern can alter
our internal clocks. Reduced hours
of daylight, therefore, are another
PHOTO BY BECKY WEINDORF
reason we become depressed in the
winter. Our circadian rhythm is
thrown off, causing us to have altered
moods
It is not unusual for individuals
suffering from winter depression to
be treated with light therapy. Bright,
artificial lights have been proven to
be beneficial in helping the body
resynchronize its internal clock.
Brightness and exposure time to the
lights must be carefully controlled,
so see a physician for further
assistance with this treatment.
So how do Behrend students cope
with winter depression? Students on
Healthy Happenings
Sex Jeopardy, Tuesday, January 30,
at 7:00p.m. in Ohio Hall
Safer Sex Cabaret, Thursday,
February 8 at 7:00 p.m. in Reed
Healthy Relationships Week,
February 12,
sponsored by Health and Wellness,
and information will be passed out
about safe sex as well as condoms
Free Giveaway for the entire month
of February
Peer Educators will be
passing out
outside of Bruno's Monday-
Thursday 4-6 p.m. and
Friday 1-2 p.m.
campus participate in a number of
activities during Erie's long winters
that they would not normally become
active in during the rest of the year.
Anyone who has been to the weight
room recently can tell you that it has
been more crowded recently than
ever before. "Ever since we came
back from Christmas vacation, it's
been a madhouse down there," said
student Fred Leyda. The fitness
room in Ohio Hall is also being used
in greater numbers.
Students with cars on campus have
access to other remedies to beat the
wintertime blues. Harborcreek
Tanning Salon reports that from
January to May is their busiest time
of year. They believe that young
people go tanning more in the winter
in order to feel better about
themselves. Exposure to tanning
lights may be just what some
students need in order to attack their
winter depression.
Still others find additional ways to
feel better about themselves in the
winter. Many people like Behrend
student Jeff Senita, have the "if you
can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality.
They enjoy winter activities such as
skiing and snowball fights. Thom
Sargeant, an Almy Hall resident
stated, "I sled ride in the winter. It's
fun!"
There are always those people who
enjoy the winter as well. "I don't
get winter depression," said Leyda.
"I love the snow." He is not alone in
this feeling. Sophomore student Jen
Kuntz also said she enjoys getting
together outside with friends in the
winter. "I like to look for the sun."
Whatever your take on winter,
remember one thing. It lasts only a
few months. If you suffer from
winter depression, relax knowing it
will be over almost as quickly as it
came. If you are a snow-lover, make
the most of it. The season doesn't
last nearly long enough.
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