Manners Matter: Cold-Weather Lethargy

Dear Mary Pat,

I always feel kind of blue this time of year. I don’t totally dislike cold weather, but somehow it’s always a shock to my system. I find it hard to keep motivated and feel kind of tired. Am I the only one out there who feels this way?

Signed,

Blah Humbug

Dear Blah Humbug,

I don’t think you’re the only one who feels this way. Some people are greatly influenced by the change in seasons. November and December are a sharp contrast to the summer and fall months. We go from living in an autumnal wonderland full of spectacular colors to bare trees, dropping temperatures and deserted streets in a matter of days. Some of our friends bail out of the county around November 1, and they seem to take a whole lot of visitors with them. That’s quite an extreme transition.

If you feel just a little sluggish, I think that’s normal. Exercise can help snap you out of it, along with some exposure to daylight. If, however, you feel worse than sluggish, you might have something more serious, such as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Because I’m not remotely qualified to dole out medical advice, you’ll need to consult your doctor.

If the summer months seem to fly by, then perhaps the winter ones will as well. In the meantime, we have some good things to look forward to: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s and spring break, and before you know it, the cherry blossoms will be here.

Good luck,

Mary Pat