As days get darker and colder, people may experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. As the seasons change, you may feel sluggish, depressed or uninterested in doing the things you used to enjoy. You may also oversleep or overeat. Around 1 in 20 people in the U.S. has SAD. Many more people have the winter blues, a milder version of SAD, where you feel like a sadder, sleepier or slower version of yourself. Here’s how to spot it and what you can do.
- ❄️ It can be hard to recognize a pattern of change because symptoms can creep up on you, says Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
- ❄️ Not getting enough light is at the heart of the disorder. A SAD lamp, which provides more intense light than indoor lighting, is often recommended.
- ❄️ Make time for movement. You may feel less energetic when the seasons change, and that can turn into a vicious cycle. Exercise is an environmental cue that helps signal your internal clock.