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Seasonal Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
The American Psychiatric Association estimates that nearly 30-60 million people suffer from this
disorder, primarily during the winter months. No one knows the exact cause, but they do know that a lack of sunshine is a major factor.
Symptoms include: anxiety, depression, lethargy (fatigue), weight gain, and inability to sleep well (that is, you don't feel rested when you awaken in the morning).
What can you do? Rarely is medication necessary. Try any or all of the following suggestions. 1. Get as much light as possible:
Open blinds and allow whatever sunlight is available into your space. Use full spectrum light bulbs in your living and working areas (not the "soft" lights)
Purchase (or build yourself) a light box. Treat yourself to about 30 minutes of light a day. (Designs for building a light box can be found on the internet). Turn the box on and read your
mail, or a book, do a crossword puzzle.
2. Exercise (of course):
Get outside and move. Aerobics is great but not necessary. Even 10 or 15 minutes, two or three times, a day is quite beneficial. Take a mid afternoon break
if feeling sleepy and walk up and down a few flights of stairs at work. If you are at home, walk up and down your street.
3. Relax:
Finding ways to manage stress will reduce symptoms. Meditate, listen to relaxing music, take a bubble bath, get a massage.
As always, being aware of the symptoms is the first step. Then have a workable plan that you can implement.
Before you know it, Spring is here. And with it comes that bright and warm sunshine you have been craving for months.
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