How-To: Stay Mentally Healthy During The Winter

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD or seasonal depression, affects 10 million Americans. The disorder creates a feeling of helplessness and sadness within a person during certain seasons of the year.

Causes of SAD

1. Less Vitamin D from less sunlight

2. Hormone changes such as melatonin vs. the darker days

3. Drop in serotonin caused by less sunlight and activities to do

Help for Seasonal Depression

There are many things you can do to help yourself when you are feeling SAD (haha, do you get it?):

• Sunlight exposure or light therapy

• Psychotherapy

• Antidepressants

• Planning fun activities during the winter

• Dawn simulators

• Aromatherapy

• And many more things!

Overall, seasonal depression, SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, or however you decide to call it, affects many people. It is a very common feeling so you should never feel bad to have emotions. If you are feeling this way, you can do things from talking to a doctor for a diagnosis to hanging out with your friends more often!

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Thanks for reading!