Winter Safety

In this section we often focus on preparing your home or your body to properly survive the elements. But making sure your mental state is healthy is a very important safety topic. Here in the Northeast, the wintertime means less sunlight and harsh weather that can impede meeting with friends and family – both of which can affect mental health. The Mayo Clinic defines seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as a type of depression that’s related to changes in season.

Signs and symptoms may include:

7 feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day

7 losing interest in activities you once enjoyed

7 having low energy and feeling sluggish

7 having problems with sleeping too much

7 experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain

7 having difficulty concentrating

7 feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty

7 having thoughts of not wanting to live https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

The Mayo Clinic notes that it is normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your health care provider. This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or think about suicide.

HSS clinical psychologist Julia M. Kim, PhD notes the following tips to improve your mental health this time of year:

7 moderate your media intake

7 keep a gratitude journal

7 winterize your workout

7 reach for the right foods

7 find your friends

7 invest in a cause you care about

7 embrace the season

Details can be found here: https://www.hss.edu/article_fight-winter-blues.asp