If you take the first letter of each word in the medical term Seasonal Affective Disorder you create the acronym SAD. That's what a lot of us are this time of year. Some folks can brush it off like a little sleet on the sleeve while others have a very real issue to deal with.  Is what you're feeling a result of a longer and colder South Louisiana winter? Is this a real malady caused by the winter months and lack of sunshine?

The symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder very closely parallel those of depression. Both issues are very real and shouldn't be taken lightly. People with Seasonal Affective Disorder often feel very anxious yet very tired and lethargic. There is a strong desire to withdraw from life and spend a lot of time in bed sleeping. You might find it difficult to concentrate on the day to day tasks of your life and you might also find yourself with a distinct loss of appetite.

If you feel like this colder and more brutal than usual Louisiana winter has you feeling out of sorts there are some things you can do. Even when the weather is cold you can still get outside, especially if the sun is shining. Adding an exercise to your routine might seem difficult to do but after a few days you might find yourself craving the activity. You can also open some curtains and the blinds in your home or office. Letting the light of day into your work space will energize you in ways that no cup of coffee or caffeinated beverage ever could.

If you find yourself still in a state of malaise after giving these suggestions a good honest try then by all means consult a health care professional. There are medicines and therapies that are available to you. There is also a chance that you are dealing with a more serious form of depression too. That doesn't need to go unchecked. You don't need to be sad. You don't need to feel hopeless. There is a light at the end of this particularly brutal winter and you will soon find yourself walking in the sunshine and feeling the warmth again.

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