The Mayo Clinic defines Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.”
Symptoms of SAD can include:
- Persistent low energy
- Daily feelings of depression
- Sleep problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Weight or appetite change
- Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Hopelessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
There are other symptoms as well. If you feel any of these, it’s important to see your doctor or a mental health professional to help with a diagnosis of the cause and set forth a path of treatment. Treatment for diagnosed SAD can include phototherapy, psychotherapy, and/or medication. But it also will be helpful to get out and keep your body and mind moving during the winter months. Here are some activities to consider in the Greater Milwaukee Area that can help you do that:
- Snowshoeing at Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center
- Exploring the renovated Milwaukee Domes
- Visiting the newly moved Winter’s Farmer’s Market in The Deer District
- Walking along the Milwaukee Lakefront
- Going sledding on Humboldt Hill
- Dive into great local history at the Wisconsin Historical Society
- Cross country skiing at exploring Winter Wonder Woods at Hawthorn Glen in Wauwatosa
- Visit the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival throughout Downtown Milwaukee
- Visit Candy Cane Lane in West Allis
- Enjoy a nice Italian or Steak Dinner and view the beautifully holiday decorated restaurant Johnny Manhattan’s in Hubertus
- Make a conscious effort to have your vehicle(s) well prepared for the challenges of winter weather by stopping by the shop at Kaestner Auto Electric in Waukesha
- Try a fun new indoor hobby with an online (worldwide!) community like paper crafting with Lisa from Lisa’s Stamp Studio
- Enjoy bidding on auction items from the comfort of your own home with online auctions like those held & run by Gavin Bros of Reedsburg
- Think or dream about home remodeling ideas for your home and get inspired by looking at the project galleries at sites like GMH Construction or Blue Hot Design
- Consider an easy and healthy life change for you and your family and support locally sourced bottled water from Plymouth WI by switching to drinking Artesian Wells Water, available at many Wisconsin grocery stores
It’s important to not dismiss “feeling blue” in the winter as normal or as something you have to face on your own. If you have concerns about possible SAD, we invite you to reach out today to American Behavioral Clinics of Greater Milwaukee to schedule a free phone consultation to discuss your concerns with us.
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