Why So SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that attempts to explain why we are more prone to the blahs in the winter. SAD says that the shorter days and the increased number of cloudy days can create a seasonal depression in some of us. If you find that your sad moods decrease as the days get longer and sunnier, there is a chance that you might be affected by seasonal affected disorder.

Whether that is your official diagnosis or not, a lot of us are affected by the winter blahs. It’s mid-February but no matter what the groundhog says we’ve got a good month of winter left before it really starts to get better. It’s still cold. The days are still short, so for many of us, working out outside isn’t possible. And, I don’t know about you, but when I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, it makes me a lot less likely to want to do anything at all once I get home. We’re humans and not bears, but part of me wants to hibernate in the winter.

So whether you’re officially SAD or just a little blah, here are some things that can keep you upbeat until the sun starts staying up longer.

• Keep in Touch: Connect with friends and family daily or at least on a regular basis. And, make an effort to get out socially once a week (or at least once every two weeks). There is something about spending time in the company of others that is energizing.
• Do Something with Your Time Indoors: You know me, I blog. However, I also enjoy writing in my journal and I love working on my puzzle books. I’m also taking an online course to get to know my camera better. When you keep your mind occupied, you’ll find you don’t give yourself the time to get the blahs.
• Work It Out: I love doing exercise DVDs. The great thing about them is that you can do them at any time and in the comfort of your own home. If that doesn’t appeal to you, if you have a gym membership, try to get yourself to go a couple of times a week. At the very least, walk in place while you watch your favorite shows. Exercise raises your endorphin level which makes you feel good. Plus, if you keep it moving you can avoid the weight gain that often comes with the winter months.

So what will you to make it through the rest of winter without feeling SAD?