There’s rain in the forecast for Cleveland this week, and although spring its just around the corner, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D., is still a daily challenge for a lot of folks in Ohio. Those who have never had the “winter blues” might be dismissive of it, but according to an article published this week in Time, it’s real. (Which we knew, but it’s always nice to have a mainstream publication as well respected as Time agree.) Here’s an excerpt from the piece Time published, and if you’re in the greater Cleveland area and have been struggling with S.A.D. (or suspect you have), we hope you’ll consider reaching out.
So what can you do about it? For many SAD sufferers, light therapy can brighten moods. “A light therapy fixture or box can be placed on your desk or table,” Rosenthal says. “Sitting in front of it, preferably in the morning for 20 to 30 minutes, can do wonders.”
Despite his doubts about sunlight’s primary role in SAD, Kerr agrees light therapy may help. He says research shows light therapy can relieve other types of depression—not just the winter doldrums.
Along with regular exercise and socializing, spending more time outdoors or near windows—or, ideally, taking a couple winter trips to sunny locales—can also help, Korb says. So can medication or cognitive behavioral therapy, Postolache adds.
Whatever you do, don’t ignore your low mood; seasonal depression isn’t something to be taken lightly. “If you’re feeling it, see a doctor,” Korb says. “You don’t have to wait for the weather to change to start feeling better.”