eType Editor

There’s much to look forward to when winter begins. Outdoor enthusiasts may relish a return to the slopes to ski or snowboard each winter, while others praise the crisp fresh air and lack of insects as more conducive to activities like hiking. Winter indeed has plenty to offer, but some people find that less daylight has an adverse effect on their mood. The National Institutes of Mental Health notes that shifts in mood and behavior that align with changes in the seasons could be indicative of seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. What is SAD? Johns Hopkins Medicine characterizes SAD as a form of depression in which individuals’ mood and behavior changes when the seasons change. The NIMH notes SAD is sometimes referred to as the ‘winter blues.’ Is SAD exclusive to winter? Though SAD can affect people at any time of year, the NIMH reports that most cases of SAD start to affect people in late fall or early winter before symptoms begin to subside during the spring and summer. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes researchers believe the shorter days and thus fewer hours of daylight that occur each winter set off a chemical change in the brain that leads to a person experiencing symptoms of depression. What are the symptoms of SAD? The NIMH points out that, since SAD is a type of depression, symptoms of the condition include those associated with depression. Such symptoms include: A persistent sad, anxious or ‘empty’ mood most of the day. This occurs every day for at least two weeks.

Little Rock, Ark., (January 22, 2025)—Arkansas teachers facing burnout and stress now have a new resource. AFMC has launched the Arkansas Teacher Support Helpline, a confidential service designed to provide teachers and school staff with a safe space to share their struggles, explore practical solutions, or vent.

There is no magic formula to ensure long-term health. However, if there were such an equation, sleep would be a critical component. Though adults may be able to function with less sleep than doctors recommend, the National Institutes of Health note that consistent lack of sufficient sleep can interfere with work, social functioning and driving ability. The National Institute on Aging notes that adults of all ages generally need the same amount of sleep, typically between seven and nine hours of rest per night. That’s an important distinction, as busy adults in mid-life might feel as though they can operate on less sleep without adversely affecting their overall health. However, in addition to the problems noted by the NIH, the NIA reports that ongoing lack of sleep, or even consistently poor sleep quality, can increase risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and obesity. Adults who feel their sleep quality is poor or those who aspire to sleep more each night can consider these three strategies to ensure a more restful night’s sleep.

Exercise is a pillar of a healthy lifestyle. When individuals exercise regularly and pair physical activity with a healthy diet and smart lifestyle choices, they can extend their life expectancies and sleep well knowing they’re doing everything they can to increase their chances of enjoying a limitless retirement. Adults over 50 know it’s not always so easy to exercise. Hectic schedules can make it seem like there’s little time for exercise. And even when adults make time to break a sweat, they might find that traditional workouts combining strength training with cardiovascular exercise are too time-consuming and possibly even a little dull. In such instances, fitness classes can take the place of more traditional exercise regimens. Various classes provide a challenging workout, and many can do so in an hour or less.

According to a study published in the journal Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry, in a given year about 5 percent of the population of the United States experiences seasonal depression, a condition also known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. A separate study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry in 2021 found that 12.7 percent of students attending higher education or vocational schools who responded to a survey showed SAD. The organization Mental Health America notes that SAD is a subtype of depression or bipolar disorder that occurs and ends around the same time every year, typically beginning in fall and continuing into the winter. Curiously, the study published in Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry found that the main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30.