Written by: Krystalyn Davis, LCSW

“Depression is useful. It signals that you need to make changes in your life, it challenges your tendency to withdraw, it reminds you to take action.“

Gloria Anzaldua

Do you notice that your mood changes with the seasons? Spring and Summer are when you feel the most alive, but winter months you feel more withdrawn and lack the energy needed to get through the day. If this describes how you feel, you are not alone. In fact, for some people they experience winter blues or what’s called seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder.

Below are a few symptoms associated with it. This is not a comprehensive list.

• Feelings of sadness
• A changes in appetite
• Weight gain
• A drop in energy level
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability

This can really affect your daily functioning and the way you connect with others. Here are few ways to fight the winter blues.

1. Use broad-band light therapy . This is a specialize lighting unit that mimics natural light. Exposure to light therapy can help regulate your mood when used in moderation.

2. Taking vitamin D supplements. This can counteract the affects of seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D is deficient during the winter months as your body is not receiving enough sun rays.

3. Engage in talk therapy. Sometimes it is not enough to use vitamin supplement and light therapy. In those cases, talk therapy is beneficial in combating seasonal depression.

This article was produced by a member of The Family Life Education Committee a department of The Family Life Project . Visit our website for more articles and free email subscription. Our website is http://www.familylifeproject.us