Seasonal Depression: How to Beat the Blues This Winter

Here in the Midwest we are heading into Winter a little sooner than I normally would like, so it seemed like a good time to discuss today’s topic, Seasonal Depression and how to overcome it. For many of us, myself included, the cloudy days and cold, wet, and wintry weather this time of year may actually have more of an effect on our health than we realize. If you experience depression-like symptoms every winter as the days get darker and shorter and sunshine becomes more scarce, and that depression is relieved as you head into Spring, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD generally include: Depressed mood Fatigue and excessive sleeping Irritability and moodiness Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy Difficulty concentrating Craving carbs In the US, SAD prevalence increases as geographical latitude increases and we move closer to the Northern Hemisphere. Fortunately, SAD can be overcome with just a few simple steps. Learn in this episode what factors can contribute to SAD, and how you can beat the blues this Winter!