SAD? Tips for Coping
If you have noticed that your mood and motivation plummets come November and you never seem to bounce back to normal in April, then you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD - a chemical imbalance in the brain brought on by lack of light due to winter's shorter days and typically overcast skies - affects nearly 10-20 percent of all people, the majority of them being women.
Symptoms of SAD are:
- A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
- Weight gain
- A heavy feeling in the arms or legs
- A drop in energy level
- Fatigue
- A tendency to oversleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Increased sensitivity to social rejection
- Avoidance of social situations
If you feel like you suffer from SAD, there are ways to make it a little more manageable. To find out what they are, just read more
- Get outside as much as you can in the winter, even if it is cold and cloudy
- Get at least one hour exposure to natural light each day
- At home, keep window coverings open during the day to expose yourself to as much natural light as possible
- At work, request to have your desk moved close to or near a window
- Talk to you doctor for further treatment options (antidepressants, light therapy, etc.)
