SAD In Winter Darkness

Advice for Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder Through the Long Winter Months

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

Winter always makes me feel so down in the dumps. I hate that it gets dark so early and the whole world just seems "blah." I never feel this way in the Summer! My doctor told me I might have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but I'm not really sure what to do about it. Do you have any advice on what I can do to make myself feel a bit better through these long Winter months?

Sincerely,

Winter Blues

A:

Dear Winter Blues, 

The basic concept behind SAD is light. The more light people get, the cheerier they feel, and the more darkness they have, the more depressed they get. Some people are especially affected by this disorder, and there are ways to keep the spark in dating when you feel down in the dumps:

Here are a few tips for SAD sufferers:

1. Bright colors are a true pick me up. Forget black and earth tones. Powerful and successful men are attracted to women wearing bright colors, and you will feel just as pepped up by wearing something bright and cheery. In addition, buy several new pieces of clothing in bright colors so you’re not reaching for the same red blazer every time you feel blue.

2. Aromatherapy. Distract your blues with wonderful fragrances. Try new colognes, perfumes, body oils, moisturizers, and bath gels. Certain fragrances like peppermint, lavender, and verbena will pick you up and make you feel good about going out for a night on the town.

3. Don’t stop with your body! Give him (or her) a gift — even if it’s a first date you can give him a little something like a nice candle or some sandalwood soap — that smells good. You’ll be the beneficiary of his aromatherapy!

4. Change your environment. Buy fresh flowers or a plant for your home. Get new sheets in a completely different color scheme. Move furniture around. Paint one wall a great, bright color. Buy higher watt light bulbs to shine a little more. Replace any bulbs that have gone out.

5. And although it has nothing to do with light, change your diet. Start eating a little differently to give yourself a pick me up. Try grilling vegetables for a vegetable salad. Toast some pine nuts — or pistachios and throw them on your salads or your grilled fish. Make smoothies. Change your coffee blend. Any of these little positive changes will make you feel better.

Going out on a hot date will probably also cheer you up! Check out my books, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, for some fabulous and fun ideas.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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