I read an article by Melissa Brooks, Special to The Mercury: http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/12/26/life/srv0000010402419.txt
which I thought was very relevant for this time of the year. While to many, it's "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," to many still, winter can be a time to sing the blues.

The long, cold days of winter can make some people feel sluggish and gloomy. And while to some degree those feelings can be considered normal, it's important to recognise that seasonal depression is real.

The National Organisation for Seasonal Affective Disorder describes Seasonal Affective Disorder as a type of winter depression that affects millions of people every winter season, especially from December to February. To combat this disorder, NOSAD (www.nosad.org) recommends that those affected get out in the daylight each day.

According to Mayo Clinic ([url]www.mayoclinic.com)[/url], addressing your symptoms rather than pushing through them can help keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.

People diagnosed by a doctor with SAD might consider treating their symptoms with light box therapy. Light boxes are available over-the-counter, or your doctor may prescribe a particular light box, according to Mayo Clinic.

The light from a light box mimics outdoor light and is thought to cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of SAD. They're generally used for 30 minutes or longer each morning, with bright light shining indirectly toward your eyes. In my experience, they really do make a difference, so if you suffer, it is worth giving it a try!

It is worth noting that while less daylight during the fall and winter months can cause depression in some people, others may simply be experiencing a case of the "winter blues."

Gale Paulsen, marketing manager with Bayada Nurses, recently conducted a free program at Encore Experiences in Harleysville aimed to educate seniors on how to "brighten things up" and beat the "winter blues."

Bayada holds community outreach programs throughout the year, mostly at senior centres and independent assisted living communities.

"With the time change and it being darker outside earlier, people tend to get a little more depressed," she said. "We talk about the difference between what is depression and what is just feeling blue. Winter blues is something you do get over. A lot of people get it in the fall and winter months then come spring, they bounce back.

Gotta be worth a try!