From Eeyore to SpongeBob

Oh-h-h-h, bother! And it is for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Their daily life is overcome with fatigue, depression, hopelessness, lack of interest and social involvement, weight gain possibly due to carbohydrate cravings and irritability, or any combination of the symptoms. SAD, or the "Winter Blues," affect people most often in the winter months, due to the lack of sunlight and shorter days, particularly people who live north of the equator, but can also affect people in spring through fall. The disorder during the warmer, sunnier days of the year, has the opposite effects, creating insomnia, loss of weight, agitation and normal to high mood swings.

The shorter days during the winter have an affect on the majority of the population in northern climates, and are not considered a disorder unless symptoms persist for days at a time. If eating and sleeping habits change, and social activities are avoided for days and weeks, SAD may be the issue. The difference between feeling down on overcast days and having a problem with SAD is the ability to change your mood.

The main reason for SAD is unknown, but can be linked to age, genetics and a person's chemical makeup. According to mayoclinic.com, the disorder may be from a disruption in a person's biological clock, an increase in melatonin and a decrease in serotonin levels, which change with shorter days and the lack of  sunlight.

So, what are some solutions to SAD?

1) Create a bright environment, at work and home. Let the sun in to brighten overall mood.

2) Eat right. Stay away from foods high in sugars that will give temporary highs and send the mood into a downward spiral shortly after.

3) Exercise. Exercising increases serotonin levels which are known to relieve stress and anxiety, and improve mood.

4) Supplement with vitamin D, a good multivitamin/multimineral and fish oil.  Research has shown low vitamin D levels to be linked to SAD and other forms of depression, and a number of other well-known diseases. Improper diet results in improper nutrient intake to keep a body functioning properly. When one area of the body is weakened, others are affected. EPA and DHA in fish oil, taken daily, has shown many benefits in boosting brain health.

So, with all this in mind, look at winter in a more positive light. It doesn't have to be the same dreary season year after year. All it takes are some minor changes to make any season look optimistic and go from thinking like Eeyore to feeling like SpongeBob.