When you grow older, aging in place and in peace is important. However, cold weather can make it difficult, especially if the weather can severely impact your mood. This is what’s known as seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD or seasonal depression.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD is defined as a form of depression that’s related to seasonal changes. Someone with seasonal affective disorder will typically lose energy and motivation in the winter, which leaves them feeling moody until spring and summer arrive. Summertime depression is less common, but it is still a possibility.

Seniors are more likely to be affected due to lessened mobility and weakened immune systems, and living in the Upper Peninsula means that the weather will likely be harsher and colder as well. As a result, these specific conditions mean that any seniors living in Marquette are simply at a higher risk of developing and living with SAD each winter.

What Can Be Done?

The good news is that there are plenty of ways SAD can be handled. Much like other forms of depression, it won’t simply go away just by trying to stay positive. However, that doesn’t mean you should just allow yourself to feel bad each year. There are steps you can take to stay in control of your mood and energy levels, even in the coldest and snowiest winters that Michigan has to offer: