Does your mood change from chipper and upbeat in the summer to sleepy and listless in the winter?  Lack of exposure to sunlight in the winter months is attributed to causing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a change from a sunny disposition to a somber one as summer fades to winter.  Common symptoms of SAD include:

  • Sleeping too much
  • Being tired all the time
  • Feeling depressed
  • Lacking energy
  • Craving sweets and starchy foods

Seasonal affective disorder is more common in the northern United States, where it’s colder and days are shorter.

Changes in diet, light therapy and learning to manage stress are all ways you can alleviate SAD symptoms.

You can learn more about SAD and what to do if you think you’re experiencing it at Medline Plus.

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