As I sit here writing this, the world outside my window is still unlit. The sun won’t be up for hours and it will have gone again by the time I return to my desk this evening. This is the time of year when most of us leave for work in the dark and are indoors for most of the daylight hours only to leave work to go home in the dark. It’s that long stretch between the end of daylight savings time and the first recapturing of daylight minutes. We watch night descend earlier and earlier each evening until we reach the winter solstice.

Although the seemingly ubiquitous darkness makes all of us feel a little depressed, for some it is a serious condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Many people experience the winter blues but people with SAD can suffer serious depression during the winter months.

The typical symptoms of SAD include depression, lack of energy, increased need for sleep, a craving for sweets and weight gain.

For those with SAD there are several different types of therapy used to treat its effects. Light therapies involve exposure to specially constructed bright lights. For some people SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) alleviate some of the depression associated with SAD. If you think you suffer from SAD, seek help from a medical professional.

For the rest of us, there are things we can do to shake the winter blahs. Exercise elevates mood and if you can, take a walk outside. Instead of spending your lunch hour indoors, go out for a stroll or a drive. Enjoy the sun while it shines and get plenty of fresh air. Remember, Spring is only 102 days away!