It's dark when I wake up and almost dark when I get home. How depressing. But I expect that this time of year with moving the clocks back an hour to standard time and the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. And as we go into the winter months, the days will get shorter. Pretty soon it will be dark at 4 p.m. and that can be really hard for some people to deal with.
What is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects thousands of people this time of year. SAD is a type of depression that is related to the changing of the seasons. Symptoms generally start in the fall and will continue into winter. Most people think of the feeling as suffering from the "winter blues" but SAD is a real thing but there are ways to cope with it.
Treatment for SAD can include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. And if you're able to afford it, an extended vacation to a sunny location in another state or part of the world can help too. Also being active in different activities keeps your mind busy and that is an effective way to help cope with SAD. SAD doesn't just happen in the fall and winter months, it can occur during the summer too but during this season it is more common.
All of us have those days where we just aren't 100 percent and that is normal, but if you find yourself being depressed and not motivated for several consecutive days, go see your doctor because there could be an even more serious issue you should get checked. It is important to always recognize the state of your mental health.