Feeling SAD?

Lots of us get the holiday blues. For some, it's more than that. The shorter, darker days can bring on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of seasonal depression.

What should I do if I suspect SAD?
Get more light. Spend time outside when the sun is shining.This will help boost vitamin D levels, also. If it's gloomy outside, consider sitting in front of a full spectrum lamp -- the kind that mimics the sun's light. You can read, draw, knit or do any number of indoor activities while basking in the lamp's glow.
Do not -- I repeat, DO NOT -- use a tanning booth. I spent one winter in sun-deprived Seattle and started "tanning" to get what I thought would be a healthy glow. A few years later, I developed a melanoma. Fortunately, the dermatologist removed it before it could do any serious damage; but, I still have the scar to remind me. Yes, this is anecdotal (n =1); nonetheless, I strongly caution against tanning booths.

What else can I do?
Get some exercise. It is well documented that exercise is an effective treatment for depression and just about anything else you can think of. More about exercise tomorrow. For now, while the sun is shining in the East Bay, take a walk.