Why Winter Blues Strike: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

Lets talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) and the ways to ease symptoms. It is not fun to wake up feeling down and looking outside at the gloomy weather. As the season changes our mood can also take a toll. Decreased daylight and shorter days are thought to cause a chemical shift in the brain that results in depressive symptoms. S.A.D symptoms can vary from:

• Increased sleep and sleepiness during the day

• loss of enjoyment and interest in once-enjoyed activities

• Social disengagement and heightened susceptibility to rejection

• Intolerance and uneasiness

• Feelings of helplessness and guilt

• Tiredness or low vitality

• Reduced desire for sex

• Diminished capacity for concentration or attention

• Having trouble thinking clearly

• heightened desire for food, particularly carbohydrates and sweets

• Gaining weight

• Physical issues, such headaches

Although there are ways to ease symptoms of S,A,D.

What are some ways you cope with S.A,D ?