Brighten Up! How to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder with Mitch

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that usually occurs during winter months. It is closely linked to reduced sunlight exposure, which disrupts our biological clock, or circadian rhythms. This disruption can lead to difficulty with energy, sleep-wake cycles, mood, focus, digestion, and immune function. SAD becomes more prevalent in regions further from the equator, where daylight hours are significantly reduced during winter months. SAD impacts millions of people worldwide, with about 5% of adults in the United States experiencing full symptoms and up to 20% experiencing milder, subclinical forms. If this sounds like something you or a loved one have experienced over the winter months join me in learning more about SAD, the behaviors you can do to combat it, and the specific science behind it. We will dive into the role of light, exercise, nutrition, and psychology on SAD and wellbeing as a whole!