How to Battle South Dakota Winter Blues

Are you sad, or is it S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder)? If you're already tired of our South Dakota winter when it is barely getting started, you're certainly not alone. It could be just the stress of the holidays that is getting you down. How can you tell the difference?

Both the winter blues and SAD involve feeling down during the winter months, but it's the severity that is the difference. Plus SAD is directly related to reduced daylight hours and may require treatment.

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According to the National Institutes of Health, winter blues can be tied to something specific like missing a loved one, or holiday financial stress, and will be gone in a fairly short period of time.

SAD is a mental health condition triggered by the changing of the seasons and the aforementioned lack of sunlight. It does bring on sadness, but also the person loses interest in and enjoyment from daily life. They have a tendency to eat and sleep more and the condition can linger until longer days return.

If you think you're suffering from SAD you should contact your doctor because there are treatments available including light therapy and anti-depressants.

There are things you can do about the winter blues too and they include:

Sources: National Institutes of Health and Michigan State University