Beating the Winter Blues: Strategies for a Happier Season
As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter sets in, many people find themselves grappling with the winter blues. Whether it's a mild case tied to holiday stress or a more severe condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the impact on mood and well-being can be significant. Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have delved into the causes and treatments for these winter-related shifts in mood, offering valuable insights for those seeking relief.
The term winter blues is commonly used to describe a general feeling of sadness during the colder months, often linked to specific stressors like holidays or the absence of loved ones. Dr. Matthew Rudorfer, a mental health expert at NIH, emphasizes that it's a common and usually mild condition that tends to resolve on its own.
On the other hand, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a clinically diagnosed form of depression directly linked to the decrease …


