How Does Weather Affect Your Attitude?

If you are like me, you are so tired of looking out the window and seeing long, cold, dreary days. The holidays are over, the decorations are put away and I am still carrying around the extra pounds from the holidays. I just feel blah.

Wah, wah, wah.

So, to find a way out of this funk, I decided to see what was out there on this topic.

Psychology Today describes weather related depression as Seasonal Affective Disorder. "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (also called SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early winter and normal mood returns in summer. A less common type of SAD, known as summer depression, usually begins in the late spring or early summer. SAD may be related to changes in the amount of daylight you get.” (From Psychology Today)

Well, this seems to have hit the nail on the head! Apparently, as the winter months drag on, we tend to feel a lack of energy, social withdrawal, the craving of excessive carbs--which leads to weight gain, and moodiness.

So what are some ways we can fight this winter menace?

1. Sunlight. Even as little as 30 minutes a day of outside sun can boost our overall mood. It improves our Vitamin D levels and provides us with a natural warmth that only the sun can provide.
2. If sunlight is not accessible, there are products called light therapy boxes. These can be purchased online or through most big-box retailers. Just be sure to check with your doctor to see if this is something you can use without side effects.
3. Exercise. Even though this is not something we may feel like doing-if we force ourselves, just a little bit, we will remind ourselves what it is like to feel good again.
4. Try something new. Take a class-it doesn’t have to be a major commitment. Pick something that you’ve always wanted to try. Many communities have programs that may last for only a day, or perhaps a few times a week, or they can last until winter is over.
5. Look around the house. What needs to be fixed or refurbished? This is a good time to repair things that may need attention. It doesn’t have to be an expensive overhaul. It can be as simple as a few cans of paint or new pictures on the wall.
6. Don’t forget to eat healthy. At this time of year, we especially need all the vitamins and nutrients we can get-and it may help to lose any unwanted pounds that may have joined us in the last few months!

Just remember do not despair! Spring is just around the corner!

How many of you are experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder? What ways do you try to overcome this feeling?