Seasonal Affective Disorder
Garett Richardson Public Health Promotion Facilitator
Alberta Health Services
It’s the middle of winter and has been dark and cold for a few months. In northern Alberta we often wake up in the dark, go to work or school in the dark and go home in the dark this time of year. As a result, some of us may be feeling a little down. These winter blues are also called seasonal affective disorder,
SAD. or
The long, cold nights of winter can make us feel tired and cause us to sleep too much or maybe not enough. Some may have trouble concentrating and focusing on tasks. Or you may withdraw from friends and lose interest in some activities. The symptoms of SAD are very similar to depression. For this reason, make sure to talk to your doctor.
We don’t receive the same amount of daylight we do in the warmer months, and this has been linked to SAD. Locations in higher, northern latitudes have higher rates of SAD as we go from the very long days in the summer to the very long nights during the winter. Some locations with lots of cloud cover can also cause the winter blues.
But there are ways to help make the winter feel shorter. Getting outside during the day when the sun is out is a great option. Go for a lunch time walk, a weekend cross-country ski or any other activity. This will give you the health benefits of physical activity as well as that much needed sunlight. Physical activity helps release endorphins, the hormones that help cause you to feel good during and after exercising. Get outside for at least 20 minutes of physical activity at a moderate to vigorous intensity to really feel great.
You can also try using a special light that helps simulate the sun’s rays. The light may improve your level of endorphins and other hormones. It may also help reset your biological clock, helping you to have a better quality sleep. Use it for 30 minutes to a couple hours. These lights can be costly so they might not be the best option for some.
More about seasonal affective disorder can be found at myhealth.ab.ca, along with information on a variety of other health topics. Health advice is also available 24/7 by calling Health Link at 811.
The long, cold nights of winter can make us feel tired and cause us to sleep too much or maybe not enough. Some may have trouble concentrating and focusing on tasks. some activities.