Pat’s Top Five Ways to Beat S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Got a case of the winter blues? Me too! Here's how I'm dealing with it, maybe it will help you!

1. Cut the drama out of TV

I learned this trick when I first started dealing with anxiety and depression many years ago. I surrounded myself with only positive, happy and funny entertainment. Stop bingeing bummer shows like Law & Order, Dexter, etc. and start watching shows that make you laugh. Simple enough, right?

2. Bright Light Therapy

It's been a mild winter, but it's definitely been dark and gloomy. We need sunlight to keep us healthy; if you can't get it naturally, recreate it! Bright light therapy uses a light therapy box to mimic sunlight. You can sit near one while you're reading a book, watching TV, etc. You can get them almost anywhere.

3. Exercise

This really helped me out last year when I got into a constant groove of heading to the gym, at the same time, every other day. It became something that I really looked forward to. Unfortunately, Heisenberg (my hernia) is keeping me from over-exerting myself right now, but don't let it stop you!

4. Cut the politics

This goes without saying, but things are pretty tense at the moment. Remove yourself from the constant barrage of information. Turn off the cable news, unsubscribe to all those Facebook pages you liked during the election, and refer back to tip #1.

5. Get out of the country

This is extreme, and not financially feasible for everyone. Hop a plane to a foreign destination that isn't going through the winter season. I have a friend who literally left the hemisphere until spring returns - he's working in Australia. If you can't get away for six months, a quick jaunt to our neighbors to the south can suffice.

Whatever you do, good luck in beating the winter blues! Only 52 days until spring....