Managing the Winter Blues

It hits around the same time every year. The buzz of the holiday season is behind us, the days are shorter, the weather colder, and many people start to experience changes in their mood, behavior, and overall demeanor. These symptoms are usually associated with the “winter blues” and may be an actual medical condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

According to the May Clinic, SAD is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. Most people with seasonal affective disorder have symptoms that start in the fall and may continue into the winter months. It can sap your energy and make you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer.

There are many ways you can prevent or decrease the severity of your symptoms so you can continue to enjoy yourself even through the bitter cold of winter.

• Stay hydrated.
• Eat healthy.
• Keep active and aim to do some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Expose yourself to as much natural light as possible.
• Get out of the house and enjoy time with family and friends.
• Make the best of the winter weather by participating in activities for the season (sledding, hockey, snoe shoeing, etc).
• Participate in light therapy. Sit a few feet from a specialized light therapy box so that you’re exposed to bright light. Light therapy mimics outdoor light.

Source: Mayo Clinic