I am a sun-lover. I despise being cold. I have no idea why I live in the Midwest. When the days begin to grow shorter, darker, and colder, my anxiety reaches a fever pitch. Winter is here. For six long months, I will languish in agony without my beloved sunshine and warm weather. It makes me cranky, lazy, and strangely, hungry? I decided to look into my maladies, to find if they held any merit:
Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined as a “form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.” SAD, as it’s commonly referred to, (how appropriate) is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
• Carbohydrate cravings
• Decreased interest in work or other activities
• Depression that starts in fall or winter
• Increased appetite with weight gain
• Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
• Lack of energy
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Social withdrawal

Decreased concentration? Lack of energy? Craving carbs? To me, this just sounds like a regular Monday afternoon. I have always charmingly referred to my expanding winter-white love handles as my insulation for the cold weather. And who wants to go out when it’s 20 below? As if dealing with cold weather, dry skin, and static-y hair wasn’t enough; we can be depressed just because of the season change.

It is also found that, like most forms of depression, SAD occurs more frequently in women than in men, as do most other magical gender-based qualities, like childbirth and slow metabolism. SAD is not to be confused with Cabin Fever, or Winter Blahs, (both obviously technical terms), as SAD is a true, diagnosed form of depression. If you truly feel that you may be experiencing the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, consult your physician. Most of us, however, are just suffering from the plain old Winter Blahs.

Luckily, there are some simple solutions for those of us with the blues.  Number one: exercise. Yes, exercise. Yet another medical reason that we must work out. As if watching Jillian Michaels on the Biggest Loser shaming the nation for eating Taco Bell as she gagged down a nacho (that I would have hoovered an entire plate of with no remorse) wasn’t horrid enough to send me running for the treadmill, I suppose that my mood and sanity should be. Secondly, fresh air and light can revive our frozen spirits. Come out of hibernation and you’ll find yourself feeling better. The increased isolation that seems so comforting for us due to the weather is actually more harmful than good. It is also suggested that wearing a “feel good” color, such as pink, red (a big color for spring!), orange or yellow can immediately give you a warmer feel. If you’re a die-hard grey/black wearer, such as myself (gotta hide those love handles somehow) it is also suggested that you paint a wall in your home in one of the warm hues to instantly brighten you life.

Now that I’ve ridden myself of all excuses of hiding under my blanket, complaining of the weather and my mood, I’m off to don a yellow sweater, because I’m not about to swear off the carbs. One thing at a time.