seasonal depression

Juliette Robadey Staff Writer

2. Holiday movies

It is not truly December if there are no days when it is just too cold to leave the house. The best way to spend these days is to get cozy with some hot chocolate and a blanket and watch holiday movies. There is something about watching these movies that get you excited about the winter season. You could take the comedic route and go for “The Night Before,” “The Christmas Chronicles” or “A Bad Mom’s Christmas.” If you are looking for holiday horror, watch “Krampus,” “Die Hard,” “Gremlins” or “Silent Night.” There is no better feeling than the nostalgia of watching classics you have watched year after year throughout your childhood. “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “The Grinch” and of course “Hallmark” movies can all bring you this warm reminiscence.

What Are Islanders Celebrating this holiday season?

Seasonal depression, officially known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, impacts many people, especially those who live in areas that get dark and cold in the winter like Seattle. While “seasonal depression” is a term thrown around and used very often by people who don’t enjoy the weather in certain months, it can very seriously affect one’s life.

“[Seasonal depression] is depressive symptoms that recur every year with a season, which is usually fall and winter with the decrease of sunlight,” therapist Aude Geltzer explained. “It happens one year after the next to people who are affected.”

SAD often affects people that already have standard depression in other months, and the symptoms can be the same. It’s sometimes overlooked and not treated as seriously as it should because it only lasts for a couple months every year.

“People who tend to be depressed at other times of the year have their symptoms worsen during the fall and winter. So they have Seasonal Affective Disorder on top of maybe having had depression in the past,” Geltzer said. “For some people it’s not too severe, they might feel down or low in energy, so it’s a mild depression, not necessarily major.”

The direct cause for SAD and why it only affects some is unknown, although there are a couple factors that can correlate.

“Because it’s colder and darker earlier in the day, people don’t go outside as much and we know that sunlight and being physically active is incredibly good for well being,” Geltzer explained. “People isolate themselves more, meaning they’re less social and being social is very impor tant.”

Although a lot of people think they feel sad in the winter because of the weather, these factors of exercise and being outdoors are more prominent than some think.

“In the winter some of the only physical activities I do is skiing but in the summer I play tennis, swim for fun and spend time outside with my friends,” MIHS freshman Izzy Tomaselli said. “I’m way more active and outdoors in the summer.”

Staying active, social and receiving Vitamin D are important for keeping motivation and joy in the cold months.