Struggling With Seasonal Affective Disorder? 10 Proven Tips to Boost Your Mood

glamour.com:

, and can’t imagine socializing now that it’s cold out, you might be feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it’s otherwise known).About 10 million people in the US suffer from some form of the aptly named SAD, according to .

It’s also been dubbed winter blues, with experiencing symptoms each year, though many people don’t even realize they have it.SAD is brought on by the shorter, .

It is thought that a lack of sunlight prevents our brain’s hypothalamus working properly, leading to increased production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and a decreased production of the happy hormone serotonin; plus, can get out of whack.Four out of five people , a fact that’s “thought to be related to the cyclical secretion of female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone,” says Natasha Bijlani, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory.An array of also link low levels of , and thanks to the lack of sunshine in the winter months, our bodies can’t produce nearly enough.

However, there are a few science-backed tips for helping manage the worst of the symptoms.It might sound obvious, but eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is essential for helping the body get back to its best self.