You know how you get that blue feeling when all the leaves have fallen off the trees and the sun starts ducking behind the clouds more and more? Good news, that’s completely normal! But if it’s severe, and I’m talking a deep dark depression, you might want to talk to your doctor and find out if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. I know what some of you may be thinking… the whole “this is a joke thing” crossed my mind too.

Then I actually saw what my dad was like during the winter months: grumpy, sad, loss of interest (aka he just sat in front of the T.V. and did nothing), he ate everything he could see, and slept more than needed. So after convincing my mom to talk to him, she confronted him about going to the doctor.

We found out he suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that affects a person during the same season each year. (Although more popular during the winter months, people do suffer during the summer seasons as well.) Anyone can get SAD, but here are a few facts about those most at risk:

- People who live in areas where winter days are short.
- People between the ages of 15 and 55.
- People who have a family member suffering form SAD already.
- Women are more likely to get it over men.

Here are some things you should keep an eye out for in your friends, family,  and yes, even yourself!

Feeling sad, grumpy, moody, or anxious,  loss of interest in usual activities,  eating more and craving carbohydrates (well, more so than usual),  weight gain, and sleeping more but still feeling drowsy during the daytime.

Whether or not you’re suffering from SAD, there are a few things we all can do to feel better in the winter months. Some doctors prescribe a bright light therapy treatment, which involves sitting in front of a “light box” for half an hour or longer during the day. The light, which is lacking naturally in these months, is said to “trick” your body into thinking it’s bright, happy sunlight, thus enhancing your mood.

Another light therapy treatment is called dawn simulation; a dim light goes on in the morning while you sleep and slowly brightens up your room, like a sunrise. Other treatments include: just getting outside and embracing the natural sunlight that exists, antidepressants (these work to balance the brain chemicals that affect mood) and counseling to learn about SAD and ways to manage your symptoms.

Let’s all try to ward away the winter blues this year by imagining a nice warm happy place! I know that every time old Jack Frost starts nipping at my poor little nose, I’m going to imagine a nice warm beach and a tangerine-grapefruit margarita in my hand.

Pat yourselves on the back, everyone – we have officially surpassed another stressful week!  And if you are a hopeless romantic like me, Channing Tatum is closing out the week with a bang (or a box full of tissues) in Dear John. And I. Am. Looking forward to it.  Besides drooling excessively over Mr. Tatum’s abs, we have a lot more to look forward to this weekend: dance parties, our last football Sunday for the season, and busting our minds for that perfect (reasonably cheap) gift for a special someone.

And, yes, it still counts if the gift is for you.

So, my lovely College Candies, let us reflect on the busy week that was:

As I found myself tearing up over the finale of Teen Mom, we closed the (drama-filled) season with one final question.

For some, something about blowing out candles post-graduation feels…a little disappointing.

Taylor Swift is getting really good at those acceptance speeches.  Don’t you think she could stop acting so surprised? It is getting a little old.

As Valentine’s Day gets closer and closer, we are left wondering why Average Joe didn’t let me breeze into the classroom first as he held the door open. Um, hello Romeo? Where art thou?

The Grammys did not seize to completely blow us away with some serious red carpet “uh whats?” and “oh wows.” Read More »

I love the Fall in Michigan.

I love the way the leaves go from boring green to bright and beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. I love it when I can start to see my breath outside and I have to wrap one of my grandma’s homemade scarves around my neck. And I am absolutely obsessed with apple cider and donuts at the Cider Mill.

But as I sit here at 5:00 PM on a Monday and look out on a street that is pitch black, cold and dreary, I can’t help but feel the pangs of seasonal depression start to sink in. I don’t want to leave my house. I don’t want to leave my bed. I just want to sit, eat and watch TV.

It’s awful. And it explains why I always gain five pounds every winter. It also explains why there is a large and permanent butt print in my couch cushion. And why the guys at the Thai delivery place up the street know my name already.

So, this year I am trying everything I can to avoid my winter blues. In my quest not to retire to the couch (with a giant bag of Dark M&Ms) this winter I have been doing some research and have found some surefire ways to stay happy this winter:

Bring on the Light: One reason people get a little down in the dumps in the winter is because there is less sunlight during the day. Doctors agree that the best way to lift your sagging spirits is to simply get some more light: open the curtains as soon as you wake up, go for a walk, etc. Even a short amount of natural light (even on a cloudy day!) will put some pep in your step naturally.

Hit the Gym: One of the hardest things for me to do in the winter is get to the gym. Why go out in the cold to work out when I can cover my fat with oversized sweaters and sweatpants? Well, it turns out that getting exercise is one of the best ways to feel better on a dreary winter day. Those endorphins will get your body pumping and feeling great for hours to come. Bonus: a good workout will also warm you up! Read More »