Have you felt down in the dumps recently? Maybe you have contributed a case of post-holiday letdown, but there could in fact be something a bit more sinister behind a seasonal case of the blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects people during the season each year, typically winter.

The most commonly acknowledged cause of SAD is lack of sunlight, which can interrupt sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. According to WebMD, symptoms of SAD include:

• Feeling sad, grumpy, moody, or anxious.

• Loss of interest in your usual activities.

• Eating more and craving carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta.

• Gaining weight.

• Sleeping more and feeling drowsy during the daytime.

Doctors often use light therapy to treat SAD, along with appropriate antidepressants and counseling. Regular exercise has also shown to decrease SAD symptoms.

This past December, Michigan experienced the least amount of sunlight ever recorded. Now, I am not saying I have SAD, but that fact is definitely depressing. In general, lack of sunlight can cause short-term symptoms similar to SAD. Not quite the blues, but what I often refer to as the grays. The grays describe the general lack of energy felt in the cold, winter months, when all you want to do is curl up on the couch and take a nap.

Here are some great ways to beat the grays:  

• Moderate exercise

• Meditation and/or yoga

• Listen to music that inspires you

• Eat healthy, regular meals

• Write in a journal (or blog!)

• Start a new hobby

• Reread your favorite book

I also advocate bubble baths, hot cocoa, and romantic comedies as solutions the the grays.

The good news? We are past the shortest day of the year, and each day we are acquiring another minute or two of daylight. Though Winter is Bitter, getting over the hump is Sweet.

**DISCLAIMER (subtitle: OBVIOUS)**
Please note that I am not a physician. I cannot diagnose SAD nor can I prescribe treatment for it. The preceding is simply the result of my own online research and personal experiences, meant to inform and entertain. If you think you may have SAD or a related disorder, please consult your doctor immediately.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 9th, 2009 at 5:05 am and is filed under Bitter/Sweet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.