It is that time of the semester when all those deadlines you thought were light-years away are starting to rear their ugly heads. Even Thanksgiving break is starting to look bleak when you think about that paper you are vainly hoping will write itself while you are visiting with friends and family.

Although most people’s foul moods can be attributed to their increasing workloads coupled with the decreasing daylight, many will experience stronger feelings of depression. Nearly 6 percent of the U.S. population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (oddly enough known as SAD), according to Dr. Normal Rosenthal, a leading SAD researcher.

Contrary to popular belief, SAD is attributed not to decreased temperature, but to decreased sunlight, which can throw off the body’s biological (circadian) rhythms. Nashville’s proximity to the equator, and thus more frequent exposure to sunlight, makes our student body less susceptible to SAD than schools located in northern regions like New York, Massachusetts or Washington. So be sure to relish the days on which the sun decides to shine; they really can brighten your whole outlook.

Effects of SAD can include:
• Depression
• Oversleeping
• Lethargy
• Social Problems
• Anxiety
• Loss of libido
• Mood change
• Carb-craving
• Weight gain

Coping with the Winter Blues:
• Turn on the lights! Counteract the horrible fluorescent dorm lights by adding more lamps to your room.

• Take a walk. Take advantage of those 10-minute breaks between classes. Spending a moderate amount of time outdoors in cold months is just as important as it is in warm ones.

• Learn from the Danes. Scandinavian countries are faced with darkness for the majority of the day during the winter, so they emphasize the celebration of holidays through gift making and giving, decorating, and socializing.

• Manage your sleep patterns. This is a very difficult thing for college students, but it is also extremely important for wintertime health. Keep your biological clock ticking accurately by making an effort to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

• Exercise. This is always an important part of health maintenance, but it is something that is often overlooked in times of bad weather.

• Get light boxes. If you feel that you are suffering from a severe case of SAD, you may want to consider buying a light box, which produces similar effects to natural sunlight.

• Celebrate! Take advantage of the holidays as an excuse to get excited about something. Raise your spirits by planning a holiday party or decorating your living space.

If you have symptoms of depression or lethargy that persist longer than normal, contact the health center or doctor.