SAD

What is SAD?

Throughout the centuries, poets have described a sense of sadness, loss and lethargy which can accompany the shortening days of fall and winter. Many cultures and religions have winter festivals associated with candles or fire. Many of us notice tiredness, a bit of weight gain, difficulty getting out of bed and bouts of "the blues" as fall turns to winter.

However some people experience an exaggerated form of these symptoms. Their depression and lack of energy become debilitating. Work and relationships suffer. This condition, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may affect over 10 million Americans while the milder, "Winter Blues" may affect a larger number of individuals.

The typical symptoms of SAD include depression, lack of energy, increased need for sleep, a craving for sweets and weight gain. Symptoms begin in the fall, peak in the winter and usually resolve in the spring. Some individuals experience great bursts of energy and creativity in the spring or early summer. Susceptible individuals who work in buildings without windows may experience SAD-type symptoms at any time of year.

I found this article on the web and, since I actually seem to have many of these symptoms, I thought some others might, too.  I find that my "funk" starts around Thanksgiving, or even mid-November when the days start getting really short and after daylight savings time has ended.  I often go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark.  Blah!  I look forward to December 20, cuz that is the the shortest day of the year.  After that, we add approximately 2 minutes per day for a while, then the days start getting noticably longer.  What a relief!  I tend to "come out of it" sometime in mid March, or whenever we have a few days of really nice weather in early spring that gets me outside and working in the yard or garden.  So, for right now, I am sorta sad.