654756 external_news 1643138503 1643138503 Feeling sluggish and sad during dark, dreary winter days? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could be to blame. Symptoms of SAD mirror those of regular depression: social withdrawal, changes in appetite and weight, low energy, and difficulty sleeping. Why? Shorter days and a lack of sunlight cause a dramatic dip in serotonin, the body’s natural mood stabilizer. For those days when you’re stuck indoors, Paul Verhaeghen, professor in the School of Psychology, recommends the next best thing: a light box or lamp with 2,500 to 10,000 lux. Use it for up to one hour per day — preferably first thing in the morning — to simulate natural sunlight and increase energy.

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