There’s many things about the late fall and early winter seasons that are a joy to behold. There’s the holidays, winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing or  a warm beverage next to the fireplace.  One thing that many people don’t look forward to is fewer hours of daylight. 

The sunset on Friday, December 9 is scheduled for 4:28 p.m.  According to meteorological reports, that is about 7 minutes less of daylight today than there was last Friday. This all culminates with the winter solstice on Wednesday, December 21 - the shortest day of sunlight of the year. Then the days will slowly grow longer again until June 21. 

In the meantime, many people may notice physical and psychological symptoms from less daylight. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms specific to winter-onset seasonal affective disorder can include oversleeping, tiredness or low energy, appetite changes and weight gain. The Mayo clinic also states that people who have bipolar disorder are at increased risk of seasonal affective disorder.

More serious symptoms of seasonal affective disorder could include social withdrawal, trouble focusing on school or work, substance abuse or mental health issues such as anxiety or eating disorders

Fortunately there are a myriad of options available to help manage symptoms of the wintertime blues.  Taking care of your general health and wellness, including regular exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep can all go a long way. 

Staying active and connected to those around you, including volunteering, participating in group activities or socializing with friends and family, can also help. It’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider about any symptoms, concerns or fitness regimens you may be planning. 

Maintaining mental and physical health are important to your wellbeing all year long.