When winter rolls around, sadness or depression can too. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects people during the same season every year. Typically, people who experience SAD feel worse in the winter months and better in the spring and summer.

SAD can affect everyone, but according to the Health4U’s Health E-Guide, those more likely to experience the disorder include:

• People who live in areas where winter days are very short or there are big changes in the amount of daylight in different seasons.
• Women.
• People between the ages of 15 and 55. The risk of getting SAD for the first time goes down as you age.
• People who have a close relative with SAD.

But whether it’s SAD or another form of the “winter blues,” these five tips from MSU’s Health E-Guide, can offer ways to help improve your mood.

1. Talk to a professional/counselor

Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what is making us feel so sad and depressed.  Talking with a licensed mental health provider can help you sort out your feelings, find ways to reduce the stress in your life and
increase your emotional wellbeing.

2. Add more D to your diet

See a qualified health practitioner to find out if you are low in vitamin D, and if you should take vitamin D under medical supervision to help improve mood and wellbeing.

3. Soak in the sun

Spend more time outdoors to help improve the regulation of important brain chemicals that affect mood.

4. Try light therapy

Light therapy is often used to help reduce symptoms of SAD.  It doesn’t work with everyone, so talk to your doctor about this if you think it may be helpful.

5. Exercise

A moderate increase in your exercise could help to improve your mood.  Exercise can increase your brain’s production of serotonin, which could give you more energy and better feelings during the winter months.