Beating the Winter Blues
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to a change in seasons. Although often referred to as the "winter blues," people can experience SAD any time of the year, though it is most often seen during the colder months, when we lose an hour of sunlight due to daylight savings.
What causes SAD? According to Mental Health America, transitioning from bright, sunny days to bleak winter ones can cause a drop in our body's natural production of serotonin, melatonin and Vitamin D. This disruption can lead to SAD symptoms such as lethargy, social withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating or sleeping. Less commonly, SAD can also be triggered by environmental changes, such as shifting from a first to a third workshift.
