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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) spikes during the winter months, alongside shorter, darker days.

Through active, intentional planning and use of coping skills, winter blues don't need to be the baseline.

You may never end up loving winter, but it can feel less miserable with activity and supports.

Cooler temperatures, crisp mornings, changing leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes: The arrival of autumn is a welcome relief for many. The start of the season can feel like the sweet spot in between the baking hot temperatures of summer and the frigid, monochrome days of winter.

But the sweet spot of the season is fleeting: Daylight hours dwindle, temperatures shift, and crisp mornings transform to frost. In the Pacific Northwest, we affectionately refer to this as the “big dark”—the time of year when the days are short, rain is plentiful, and we may go actual weeks without seeing the color blue in the sky.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) impacts an estimated 5 percent of individuals in the U.S. population. SAD is not a standalone diagnosis; rather, it falls under the classification of a subtype of major depressive disorder. Although a substantial number of people meet criteria for SAD, an even larger number experience at least some degree of seasonal mood or energy changes.

While SAD can be a debilitating concern, there are practical action steps that can help stave off seasonal mood changes. Winter blues do not need to be the baseline this........

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