As winter approaches, the anticipation of the holiday season is enough to make anyone, young or old, a little giddy. The festive tunes, sparkling lights, and the promise of presents are what make up holiday cheer in the winter. During this season, everyone will agree that it is, in fact, “the most wonderful time of year.” However, on January 2nd when the songs fade out, Christmas trees are taken down and the new year has begun, what is left of this season? Another two months of cold temperatures, ice-covered roads, and chattering teeth. As the excitement of winter dies out and everyone’s longing for spring grows, there is no doubt that the winter blues are real.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a specific type of depression that depends on the weather or time of the season. It targets one’s mood and causes one to feel sad in a particular season. This type of depression is extremely common in the United States, with more than half of Americans being affected. However, not everyone knows they have it.

SAD is most commonly present in the winter. Dark skies and harsh temperatures lull most people into a “hibernation.” Staying indoors most of not all hours of the day threatens the mental and physical health of an individual. Lack of Vitamin D which comes from sunlight becomes a large issue for some individuals in the winter. Vitamin D controls heart health, muscle function and mental health. The right amounts of Vitamin D have the power to affect your emotions, and a limited amount of this vitamin is responsible for the random feelings of “the blues.” Another cause of SAD is a lack of social interaction. Though it may sound frivolous, human interaction is vital for good mental health. Talking and interacting with others in a positive way releases endorphins in the brain, a chemical responsible for happiness.

Though four out of every five students asked say they are happier in the spring than in the winter, this does not mean that 80 percent of students have SAD. It proves that winter is not the most wonderful time of the year, but there is a marginal difference between this disorder and simply just the “winter blues." Many people suggest they are happier in the spring, but that does not mean they suffer from SAD. People agree that they cannot wait for winter to be over and for spring to arrive.

SAD is a serious and popular sickness that affects hundreds each year. It is okay to anticipate warm weather and spring, but if you are experiencing symptoms of depression such as fatigue, loss of interest, confusion, loss of appetite, lack of motivation, aches and pains specifically in the winter months, you may suffer from SAD. This particular type of depression can be treated easily. By just adding a Vitamin D supplement to your diet or using light therapy, these symptoms may be treated. Winter is proven not to be the most wonderful time of year, but that does not mean serious symptoms of depression are simply the winter blues.