Beating the winter blues~

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Also known as Winter Depression@Winter Blues

Experts are not sure what causes SAD, but they think it may be caused by a lack of sunlight. Lack of light may upset your sleep-wake cycle and other circadian rhythms. And it may cause problems with a brain chemical called serotonin that affects mood.(WebMD 2008)

Anyone can get SAD, but it is more common in:

People who live in areas where winter days are very short or there are big changes in the amount of daylight in different seasons. (me=uncheck)

Women.(check)

People between the ages of 15 and 55. The risk of getting SAD for the first time goes down as you age.(check!)

People who have a close relative with SAD.(uncheck)

Symptoms:

~depression

~anxiety

~loss of energy

~social withdrawal

~increased sleep or sleepiness (yupp!)

~loss of activities you once enjoyed

~overeating (craving for carbs) ..-->thats me! = =

~weight gain ouch!

Strategies for coping with SAD. Theres no cure for this disorder.

*increased amount of light in room

*get outside

*exercise regularly

*find ways to relax

*take a trip

*light therapy

*psychotherapy

*medication

Wanna know more bout winter in Rochester?..by the numbers:

Average temperature : July 71.3F (ok,21.8C) ~Feb 23.6F(-4.7C..but i think we hit -16C once)

Average annual snowfall : 95inches (thats almost 8ft of snow every winter)

Get outside and play!

Embrace what winter has to offer: Skiing,snowboarding,sledding,snow tubing and not-to-forget,ice-skating!

ok,it make sense now.hahaha.dont worry gals,winter gonna ends very soon!smile=)

p/s.focus to one and only final.BIO.bittaufiq to all=)

btw,thanx for the reminder,blogger update center.^_^