I Do Not Like Mondays

Well, December 21 or 22 is generally the official start of winter in this, the northern hemisphere, according to National Geographic. I’ll take their word for it. It means it’s the time of year with the longest night and the shortest period of daylight, and then from here on out, daylight starts inching back longer and longer until late June, when summer begins.

It can be fun, but there’s a lot of dim and dark. You often wake up and it’s dark, and it feels like it gets dark again by like 3 p.m. Does it affect you at all? Maybe you should consider it.

We’re not even talking about the cold, which tends to be there as well and can make you crabby. And I happen to come from a place where there’s a greater than normal percentage of overcast days in a year compared to the average, so I know what I’m talking about — it can compound the issue somewhat.

But have you ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder? It’s a bit ridiculous that it’s actually got the acronym/ abbreviation SAD, but this is a seasonal type of depression that can affect people. According to the Mayo Clinic, “if you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.” 

The clinic also explains that SAD works pretty much like other forms of depression, carrying symptoms such as wanting to sleep too much, losing interest in things you normally like, feeling sluggish, craving carbs and gaining weight, or — yes — feeling sad.

The University of California, Davis notes that you’re likelier to experience SAD if you’re in more northern states and regions with less sunshine, and also says women are more likely to have SAD than men. You know that old Christmas song that runs, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and “it’s the hap-, happiest season of all”? Well, not for some.

The good news is, if you feel like maybe this is affecting you or happens to you, there are things you can do to help, especially since SAD is seasonal and therefore predictable. UC Davis lists a number of things you can do yourself:

Since I mentioned winter, the university points out that SAD is different than “the winter blues,” wherein you may not feel like going to social events and decide to stay in and hunker down. With SAD, the thing to note is that you “withdraw from life on a global scale,” making it more like bona-fide depression, only seasonal.

• Go for a daily walk and get some fresh air.
• Make plans for fun activities and keep them — no backing out!
• Tap your network of family and friends and try to stay social. Also, tell them if/that you experience SAD so they can check up on you.
• Get moving! Exercise — even just some physical activity and movement will help.
• Add some vitamin D to your diet, since your body may not be getting enough sunshine to produce enough vitamin D on its own.

So, SAD is more serious. The American Psychiatric Association explains that SAD is identified as a “major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern” in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders.

APA also notes that if you experience symptoms of SAD, it’s a good idea to talk about it with your health care professional. SAD can be treated with antidepressants, talk therapy, light therapy, or some combination of those three things.

Interestingly, light therapy “involves sitting in front of a light therapy box that emits a very bright light and filters out harmful ultraviolet rays” for about 20 minutes per day, usually in the morning. Does this make humans sound a little more like plants than you thought previously?

SAD is no joke. If you think you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, talk to a doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.

But hey, why not end with a little humor? Some comedy might help the situation, as far as things that could combat SAD and lighten up the mood.

From Reader’s Digest:

“Every morning, I announce that I’m going running, but then I don’t. It’s a running joke.”

“What did zero say to eight? ‘Nice belt.’”

“What do you call bears with no ears? B.”

“To err is human. To blame it on someone else shows management potential.”

“Two antennas decided to get married. The wedding was boring, but the reception was great!”

From Parade.com:

“How does NASA organize a party? They planet.”

“You know, it was so cold in D.C. the other day, I saw a politician with his hands in his own pockets.”  

“Want to hear a joke about a roof? The first one’s on the house.”

“I told my friend 10 jokes to make him laugh. Sadly, no pun in 10 did.”

“I tried to catch fog yesterday. Mist.”

Take care out there, and happy holidays!

Content © Aaron G. Marsh