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Does anyone else suffer from the "winter blues?" Medically known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this condition is a type of depression one can experience during the changing of seasons and is known to begin and end about the same time every year.
Among the symptoms Johns Hopkins Medicine states are associated with SAD are:
- Irritability and anxiety,
- Decreased ability to focus or concentrate,
- Weight gain,
- Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed.
Some ways I've helped reduce the symptoms of SAD during the winter months are:
- Opening the blinds in my office during the day to let in more natural light
- Keeping Christmas lights around my window in the evenings or using a grow light in my office
- Increase my physical activity or exercise
- Track my eating habits to encourage a more balanced diet
- Writing in a journal
- Calling a friend
While these tips might be helpful, they are not meant to take the place of medical advice. Talk to your doctor to see what they would recommend.
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