Sometimes people feel depressed during the fall/winter. Symptoms may include:
- increased lethargy
- difficulty waking up in the mornings
- difficulty concentrating and thinking creatively in comparison to the summer months
- difficulty performing tasks that normally seem to be easy/enjoyable
- increased craving for carbohydrate-rich food like chocolate and sodas
Some strategies that may help include:
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat larger portions of complex carbohydrates, like pasta and rice, and healthy simple carbohydrates like fruits and fruit juices; stay away from unhealthy snacks that will cause momentary relief, but ultimately decrease energy.
- Try to establish a regular sleep schedule, no more than 8 hours at a time.
- Try to maximize exposure to the sun, especially in the morning hours.
- Seek professional help if symptoms are severe or impair daily functioning.
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