How To Beat The “Winter Blues” In New York State

‘Tis the season for temperatures getting colder and colder, the sun is setting earlier and earlier, and we’re feeling more and more tired. 

It comes with the territory with the arrival of an Upstate New York winter, but it doesn’t mean we have to like it. Does anyone else just want to curl up on the couch and take a nap right this very second?

This time of year, more and more New York State residents will start feeling, well, lousy. And there’s a legitimate scientific reason for that. 

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Seasonal Affective Disorder Common In New York State

Feeling off lately? Seasonal affective disorder (often and fittingly abbreviated as SAD) typically comes on during the gray winter months, especially here in Upstate New York, where we receive a lot less sunlight that other parts of the U.S.

SAD, defined by the Mayo Clinic as “a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons,” affects up to one million New Yorkers in ways that make us not feel like ourselves. Symptoms according to the National Institute Of Mental Health include:

• Feeling sad, anxious, or “empty” most of the day nearly every day
• Feeling irritated, frustrated, or restless
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Lower energy, increased fatigue, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and/or making decisions
• Sleep or appetite changes
• Changes in weight
• Physical aches or pains like headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that don't go away with treatment
• Suicidal thoughts

Although seasonal affective disorder can show up in some during the summer months, it tends to rear its ugly head during the winter, with additional symptoms like sleeping and eating too much and withdrawing from social activities.  

For many, SAD is much more than the “winter blues,” and if you’re feeling low this time of year, you’re not alone. Federal records approximate that 5% of people in the United States are dealing with seasonal affective disorder, and that means nearly 1 million of your fellow New York State residents are suffering with you. 

 If you think you’re experiencing any symptoms of SAD, don’t be ashamed and talk to your doctor or therapist about how you’re feeling ASAP.

How To Treat SAD In New York State

There are several different methods of combating seasonal affective disorder, and it’s important to see which one is right for you. 

Be sure to talk to a physician first, but here are some common ways used to make people suffering from SAD feel better during these dark Upstate New York winters.