Call it what you will. Mid-winter blues, cabin fever, or post-holiday depression. Whichever, it all boils down to the fact that you are feeling below normal. Do you know there may be a reason for this type of behavior? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months due to lack of exposure to light.
You are not alone. An estimated 25 million Americans feel a mild form, while another 10 million outright suffer from SAD. Symptoms may range from a mild nuisance to sever ability disfunction. It's not surprising that the nearer you live to the poles, the more chance you have of being affected. People living in the northern US are 8 times more likely to feel symptoms than those living in the sunny southern areas.
What are the symptoms? You may feel any combination of the following:
- Decreased energy
- Difficulty enjoying life and pessimism of future
- Increased sleep
- Weight gain
- Irritability & crying spells
- Temper tantrums
- Carbohydrate cravings
- Avoidance of people and social settings
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty concentrating
Don't worry, there is something you can do. If this is sounding somewhat familiar, it may be beneficial for you to try some of the following suggestions. Anyone with substantial symptoms should consult with a doctor for proper treatment. For milder cases, Dr. Holly Atkinson, MD of The Women's Clinic ( http://www.pathfinder.com/drweil/women ) recommends the following:
- Aerobic exercise
- Daily walks (outside if at all possible)
- Saint John's Wort (300 mg 3 times a day)
- Avoid carbohydrate-rich foods
- Paint walls a cheery color
- Take a vacation to a sunny place
For a more intense approach, you may want to consider light therapy. As little as 30 minutes per day sitting under a light box which provides direct, artificial light has provided significant improvement in 60-80% of SAD patients. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe regular antidepressant medication.
About the
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Lisa LeClaire is the owner of Fundamental Expressions Gift Baskets http://www.fegifts.com
and the publisher of The Gift Grapevine E-Zine. Deliver your expression
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