5 Tricks to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal depression can be debilitating and professional help is crucial. But for the estimated 25 percent of us who experience a milder form of SAD (aka the winter blues), these strategies can help.
By Corrie Pikul
Photo: XiXinXing/Thinkstock
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Splurge on a Down Coat and Waterproof Boots
What you've tried: Avoiding the cold.
Why it might not work: Experts believe that the triggers for the winter blues are darkness and a lack of natural sunlight, which can tamper with your natural levels of melatonin. Snow and wind can make you feel physically uncomfortable, but
they're not the root cause of your seasonal misery.
What to try instead: Spending time outside in natural light is strongly recommended as a way to lift your mood. If you have the right gear, you'll be more likely to want to go for a snowy walk, a skate or even a cross-country ski run on days when the temps are low but the sun is strong.
Published 09/19/2014
