Feel
like you're in a funk? Blame it on the time of year. As many as 20
percent of Americans suffer from some form of winter blues (so nope,
you're definitely not alone). Here are five ways the gloomy weather
messes with your spirits.
You Feel Down.
You're Constantly Wiped Out.
[post_ads_2]
You're Anxious and Stressed.
You Feel Antisocial.
[post_ads_2]
Your Brain Is Foggy.
If you're facing general winter blues, you'll find it harder to get things done. "You'll continue to produce, but it's harder, it's a drag, you don't feel like you're doing your very best work, so it's cutting into your productivity and your creativity," Rosenthal says. If the symptoms worsen—you're not sleeping or you're completely unable to work—you may be one of the 5 percent of people with seasonal affective disorder. Your risk depends on the climate where you live (about 1 out of every 10 people in New Hampshire have SAD while only 1 percent of Floridians do), but other things can play a role, such as whether you battle depression and your gender. Women between ages of 20 and 40 are twice as likely to have SAD than men. How unfair is that?
If winter really bums you out, try to find the bright sides of the season: the beauty of freshly fallen snow, cozy afternoons by a fire, insanely comfortable oversize sweaters. "There's a lot to celebrate in the winter once you get your symptoms under control," Rosenthal says. Not convinced? At least there's this silver lining: "When spring comes, it all tends to get better," he adds.