It’s November and like any November, the year is quickly coming to an end.
The leaves have fallen and the air is crisp and the days are shorter and even though you wish it was summer, summer is long gone. More people become depressed as November comes along, it’s called Winter depression. About 10 million Americans are affected every year by a longer lasting depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to “The Conversation.com” When daylight saving time ends each fall, the one-hour shift backward reduces the amount of light exposure most people receive in a 24-hour cycle. As the days get shorter, people can experience general moodiness or a longer-term depression that is tied to a shorter exposure to daylight. According to the Mayo Clinic SAD Symptoms are
- Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having low energy and feeling sluggish
- Having problems with sleeping too much
- Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
- Having thoughts of not wanting to live
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is diagnosed more often in women than in men. SAD occurs more frequently in younger adults than in older adults.
If you find that you have these symptoms, get help.
SAD can get worse and lead to problems if it’s not treated. These symptoms can include:
- Social withdrawal
- School or work problems
- Substance abuse
- Other mental health disorders such as anxiety or eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
There was a group called Katrina and the Waves and they recorded a song called “Walking on Sunshine.” This song, with its upbeat tempo, just made people feel happy. That is the key to it all, when the days are short and the nights are long we need to fill our minds and our lives with things that make us happy. Instead of sitting alone, invite your friends over. Instead of talking about things that make you sad, let your talk be about things that make you happy. Singing songs that make you feel good is a must. Well, just begin walking on sunshine and you will make it through the dark days of winter.