Seasonal affective disorder: Don’t be blue this winter

Have you recovered from the latest time change? The one that sent the clocks back an hour, pushing us into darkness in what used to be the end of the afternoon?

Seasonal affective disorder, also called SAD, is a type of winter depression that can be found in the young as well as the old.

The decrease in daylight can affect us, as can the lack of sunshine, which lowers our production of the mood regulator serotonin. It doesn’t help that not only is there little sunshine, but often it’s too cold or snowy to make a trek outdoors.

Symptoms can look a lot like depression, but only appear in the winter. Typical signs are lack of energy, restlessness, lack of interest in things we used to enjoy, feeling sad, different sleep patterns and changes in appetite.

A short visit with your physician to ask for a test to learn your vitamin D level might be in order. If the answer is yes, your vitamin D level is low, ask your physician how it can be fixed.

Sometimes they’ll suggest a light therapy box, a gadget that can increase your exposure to light. If so, ask for the name of a specific brand as well as how long and how often you should use it.

Don’t try to solve the problem with over-the-counter vitamin D supplements without your physician instructing you about how much to take.

To beat SAD, sometimes it only takes a few changes to how you spend your days. Try to establish a routine of talking to friends or family every day that you can’t get out.

Get a little exercise. Try YouTube videos for senior exercise. Vow to eat better, even if it means just an additional piece of fruit every day.

Every step you take can have a positive impact on your mental state.