By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Shortened days are always a sure sign of the seasons about to change. The sun begins to come up later and it goes down earlier and earlier as we near the fall and winter seasons. Often, this shortening of the days can make it seem as though we don’t get as much done during the week, and it can also make us feel depressed and unproductive. Some even notice their sleep, eating, and activity habits begin to change during these seasons, and not for the better either. According to the Mayo Clinic, these feelings and symptoms are not uncommon, and it is a condition that actually has a name, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or “SAD.” It often affects those with a family history of the disorder, those who are prone to depression or are bipolar, but it can also affect anyone during the winter months due to the shortened daylight time and reduced exposure to the sun and subsequent vitamin D.
Some ideas to help combat this seasonal depression and keep your energy and motivation up follow:
- Exercise outside to maximize sun exposure.
- Fill your space with light.
- Take vitamin D and B complex supplements.
- Make yourself wake up earlier and make the most out of the hours in the day.
Exercise is a good way to fight depression.
That mopey, groggy feeling that sometimes affects us during the winter is no fun at all. But with a few small lifestyle changes, you can alleviate some of those symptoms and stay cheery and peppy throughout the season!
For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!