The days are getting shorter as we enter late fall, and many people start feeling down with less sunshine and cooler weather.
Mental health experts refer to this as seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder.
“Seasonal affective disorder tends to revolve around any type of mood, stress or anxiety-related change that has a seasonal component to it,” said Adam Borland, PsyD, a clinical psychologist.
According to Dr. Borland, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, and oversleeping.
He explained that our overall mood can suffer in the colder months because we tend to stay inside more and socialize less.
To help combat seasonal depression, Dr. Borland suggests prioritizing time with friends and loved ones on a regular basis.
Along with staying social, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, keeping up with regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet.
Dr. Borland added that you should also find ways to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, especially on sunny days.