Feeling SAD? Tips to treat seasonal affective disorder

Winter might’ve gotten off to a late start, but the cold months are officially here.  

It’s chilly, dark and cloudy for much of the day, triggering some Minnesotans to experience the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder — also known as SAD.  

Symptoms include feeling sluggish and having low energy, sleeping too much, eating too much and feeling hopeless. While there is no clear cause, doctors believe exposure to less sunlight and shorter days play a role. 

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about seasonal affective disorder, what symptoms to watch out for and advice on how to handle the winter blues. 

Guests:  

• Sabine Schmid is a clinical psychologist and a mood disorder expert. She is the director of Psychology Education and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. 

• Bridget Mozina is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Burnsville with a focus on children, teenagers and their families. Her practice is called Grow and Thrive Therapy. 

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.