Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter repeatedly, year after year. The US National Library of Medicine notes that "some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up.
In order to avoid this scary disorder, here are some things our family is doing to get through these long California winters.
Kay Kay finds dancing eases feelings of depression.
Ash stays on her toes and lets the Doctor know if she's feeling anything unusual.
Loverboy and the little girls find that even in the most extreme conditions, it's good to get out in the wintertime. It's said that a little fresh air does the soul good.
A little exercise seems to help our girls keep their S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in check.
Dani finds that letting loose and expressing her feelings helps too.
I haven't conducted a scientific study, but I'm pretty sure all of these things are helping my family cope with the winter blues.
Oh, and holding hands and kissing works wonders! Did you know it's been shown to lower the level of a chemical in the body known to cause stress and depression?
Oh, and living in paradise doesn't hurt either. Here's to more winter nights.
