Health

More than a month after Daylight Savings Time ended, students at GHS are still affected by the time change. Many have lost sleep as they have struggled to adjust to the time change, and the fact that the sun sets earlier seems to have negatively affected students’ mental health. As one sophomore said, “It made me extremely depressed. I come home from school, and within an hour, it’s dark. It makes me feel unproductive and in a constant state of sadness.” 

On the other hand, another anonymous student sees some benefits to the time change, stating, “I get more sleep time. As a person who doesn’t sleep, I now get more sleep time, so that’s good.” However, they also said, “I hate how it becomes dark. We can’t do school projects outside of school anymore, because we need daylight.”

As we grapple with the modern repercussions of a century-old decision, it is important to note the history of Daylight Savings itself. Changing the time originally began in the United States during World War I, in an effort to conserve power and fuel, the belief being that pushing clocks further an hour would preserve electricity, as night would fall at a later hour. However, many feel that this is no longer necessary, labeling the practice as outdated. As someone said to me,  “It’s ridiculous. You turn the lights on during the night, so if anything you’re wasting more energy than if it was dark in the morning for an hour. You’re spending the same amount of electricity anyway, if not more.” Some countries, such as Mexico, have gotten rid of the time changes altogether, deciding to stick to Standard Time (the time that the U.S. has just switched back to) instead, with more and more nations around the world adopting this practice. 

Ultimately, regardless of one’s stance on the topic, one thing is clear: high school students are greatly affected by time changes, as is reflected by the GHS student body. 

MAR 2023 Finally, the long-awaited and most momentous day of the year has arrived: New Year's Eve. I can feel the holiday thrill of excitement bouncing through the air - there is delectable food begging to be eaten, upbeat music wafting throughout the house, and even my more reserved family members are cheerful, lightening up for the holidays that provide them with a respite from the stresses of work. At 11:50 pm, with our stomachs full and tired smiles starting to form, we all make our way to the living room to continue the yearly tradition of watching the New York City Ball Drop.

As I gaze at the thousands of people who have congregated in Times Square, pacing back and forth in the blistering cold, I wonder what makes the New Year so special to them. Is it about spending time with their family or significant other, or is it about the desire for a fresh start and a year to reinvent themselves? Around the time of Jan. 1, we hear an onslaught of information about the "New Year, New Me" mantra. While certain people regard New Year's as a milestone to set goals of what they would like to attain, creating lengthy lists outlining every step of the process, others completely disregard the tradition and view it as a damaging trend. Most resolutions that people resolve to undertake are tangible goals, like losing a certain amount of weight or starting a habit that they will continue for a period of time. Sadly, such resolutions don't foster an environment that celebrates both failures and successes, leading to unhealthy self-talk and a feeling of worthlessness if the resolution isn't completed. Instead, the shift to goals that value emotional and mental health could be a kinder route to take.

Matt Haig, an author and mental health advocate, strongly advises against New Year's Resolutions. "You don't need a new you," said his Instagram post, which at the time of writing has over 30,000 likes. "You don't need replacing every year like another iPhone. Don't throw yourself away like another piece of plastic trash. Love the old you." He does agree, however, that there is always room for self-improvement and development, but that doesn't mean that we should punish ourselves by going on extreme salad diets or trying to erase our "past selves" from our memories. In an effort to not hate our "old" selves, we can use our experiences to develop and evolve in a positive way.

Journalist Poorna Bell echoed the thoughts of Haig in an article for Stylist. Her take is that New Year's resolutions don't "acknowledge everything that is good about who you are already as a person." Try not to view this New Year as a clean slate but rather as a fresh start. Take the bad parts of 2021 and reflect on them instead of criticizing yourself for your decisions in the past. Reflect on the year, and bring into 2023 what brings you joy and make changes (if you want.) Be sure to set realistic goals that don't feel like a burden.

So, what do you say - will you treat yourself better this New Year? The toxic parts of New Year's resolutions will always linger, but it's up to you to decide whether or not you will fall for them.

MAR 2023 Plastic cups litter the Student Center of Greenwich High School. Every day, students utilize their free periods and even in-class time by going on food delivery apps such as Uber Eats, ordering coffee  to stay awake throughout their long school days, and various extracurriculars. Some consume caffeinated drinks once, twice, and even three or more times a day to stay awake.

When asked, Sam Jaffe, a GHS junior, explained, "I'd say I drink coffee upwards of three times a day. I drink it because I enjoy the taste of coffee, and it helps me get through the day as a student athlete." According to the National Library of Medicine, approximately 76%of teens aged 12-18 consume coffee every day. Caffeine consumption can be attributed to a multitude of factors--whether it be taste or aesthetic. However, interviews from several upperclassmen suggest that the mainreason they drink coffee is to stay awake. Senior Charlotte Fields explained, "Caffeine is an addictive drug. As high school students, we use it to stay up late and study, even when the work is draining." Senior Nicole Orlofsky agreed with thestatement and mentioned, "I know someone who drinks four cups of coffee a day, and I don't want to become dependent upon it like them." All interviewees expressed that they did  not consider themselves addicted to caffeine.

Senior Josh Cahill explained, "I only drink coffee once a day if I even end up having a cup." Nonetheless, overconsumption of caffeine in both coffee and energy drinks can be far more detrimental than just coffee jitters. In 2009, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported over thirteen thousand emergency room visits due to energy drink consumption. Should students be bringing caffeine to class? Ultimately, the answer varies for each student, but it is important to minimize usage and avoid developing a tolerance.