Seasonal Depression and the Blahs

With the clouds over hanging and the rain poring down, I was reminded of seasonal depression. Between 4 and 6 percent of the U.S. population suffers from SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder) and 10 to 20 percent suffer from a more mild form of winter blues. Symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, decreased levels of energy, weight gain, increase in appetite, difficulty concentrating, depression, and increased desire to be alone. The symptoms of SAD are intense and begin at the end of fall and do not disappear until spring. It is a very serious disorder that often requires medical attention and light therapy, which has been found to reduce symptoms. The exact cause of this condition is not known. One theory is that with decreased exposure to sunlight in the winter, the biological clock that regulates mood, sleep, and hormones is delayed, running more slowly in winter. Exposure to light may reset the biological clock. SAD is diagnosed in women more often then men, but men's symptoms are often worse.

The winter blahs are not fun, but are not as severe as SAD. With winter blahs it is best to get yourself up and moving and do something that you enjoy. Get out, take a class, and get some exercise. Siting around in doors and being sedentary can very often make the blahs worse. Go hiking, skiing, sledding, try something you have never done before like yoga, nia, or dance.

Take of yourself over this long cold winter. Continue to exercise and eat right even though your body wants to hibernate. You'll feel better in the long run, suffer less blahs, and enjoy the winter more. If your blahs are on going or severe, get help. It could be something much more then the blahs, it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder.