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yourself after an especially stressful week, check out ![\"Toy](\"http:\/\/cdn.memegenerator.net\/instances\/400x\/33517068.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nEven though I\u2019m a self-proclaimed winter lover, I have to admit that the colder temperatures and shorter days have definitely made me more moody at times.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure many others have also experienced some form of the winter blues, but recently I\u2019ve heard the term \u201cSAD\u201d (Seasonal Affected Disorder) being circulated around campus to describe this type of moodiness.\u00a0 Although many of us may be affected by winter conditions, for some people, winter can affect their entire sense of well-being.\r\n\r\nSo what is SAD, really<\/em>?\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/25.media.tumblr.com\/a01f7173912f79414cf9150592d9f3e3\/tumblr_mgqv18NUhr1rgbqwwo1_500.jpg\")
SAD is a type of clinical depression that occurs as the seasons change, usually with the onset of winter and can last until spring.\u00a0 It\u2019s thought that SAD is caused by a lack of sunlight, especially with the days being so much shorter in the winter.\u00a0 In some cases, people with SAD may experience feelings of hopelessness and melancholy.\u00a0 It can also impact your interactions with others by making you more withdrawn or causing a loss of interest in work, school, and other normal activities.\u00a0 People in more northern countries or cities<\/a> are more likely to experience SAD than those who live close to the equator.\u00a0 Women are also up to 8 times more likely than men to experience SAD.\u00a0 If you suspect you may have SAD, don\u2019t ignore the symptoms; talk to your doctor because only he\/she can recommend the appropriate treatments<\/a>.\r\n\r\nEven for those of us that experience more moderate levels of moodiness, it helps to maximize our exposure to sunlight.\u00a0 Regular exercise and a healthy diet is a great place to start as well as good sleeping habits and being mindful of managing stress.\u00a0 Lastly, there are few things more important than maintaining healthy connections to our friends and family, which has been shown to help those experiencing mild changes in mood that follow a seasonal pattern.\r\n\r\nTo combat my own moodiness, I\u2019ve recently started attending drop-in Zumba classes at Hart House on a weekly basis and am trying to stick to a healthier diet that doesn\u2019t include a piece of cheesecake after every meal.\u00a0 The Multi-Faith Centre also offers basic meditation and yoga classes<\/a> to help students re-balance and de-stress.\u00a0 And, if you feel like treating yourself after an especially stressful week, check out Massage Mondays<\/a> at Hart House.\u00a0 After all, who doesn\u2019t want a free<\/strong> massage?\r\n\r\nThe overall lesson here is that winter doesn\u2019t have to get you down.\u00a0 If your energy is uncommonly low or you find you\u2019re not your usual positive self don\u2019t just \u201csuck it up and carry on\u201d \u2013 there are options available to bring some happiness into your winter so don\u2019t be afraid to take advantage.\u00a0 It\u2019s not called a \u2018winter wonderland\u2019 for nothing!\r\n\r\n- Vivian","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"