Do shorter, darker days make you feel depressed?

Seasonal Affective Depression (SAD), often referred to as “winter blues,” is a relatively common form of depression. Although the specific cause is currently debated, lack of sunlight during the low-light months of winter seems appears to be a major factor. In fact, the latitude at which you live is an important variable. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and develop in late fall and clear up in early spring. Phototherapy (full-spectrum fluorescent light therapy) has been proven an effective treatment.

Self-Coaching can be very effective tool in minimizing the symptoms of SAD by actively minimizing the mindless negativity, moodiness, guilt, and inertia associated with this type of depression. As with any depression (or anxiety) if you allow doubt, fear, or negativity to go unchecked, you will exacerbate your struggles. Truth is, you have a lot more control over the “winter blues” than you realize. Victims are powerless–you are not powerless!