hibernation

What a beautiful evening for a walk. It's funny, because this is the first time today I've felt awake, myself, and slightly mischievous... though I can't quite discern why that is. I had to make an effort to slow my roll a couple of times so that I could enjoy the wind in the trees, the leaves swirling everywhere, the smell of Fall, the sound of the train, the window peeking -- the list could continue forever. I truly enjoyed being out there. Nonetheless, as much as I love Madison, and as much as I am apprehensive about leaving here, I have to admit that it hasn't gotten any easier for me to transition into cold, (and probably more significantly) dark weather.

According to the National Mental Health Association:

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) was first noted before 1845, but was not officially named until the early 1980s. As sunlight has affected the seasonal activities of animals (i.e., reproductive cycles and hibernation), SAD may be an effect of this seasonal light variation in humans. As seasons change, there is a shift in our biological internal clocks or circadian rhythm, due partly to these changes in sunlight patterns. This can cause our biological clocks to be out of step with our daily schedules... younger persons and women are at higher risk.

People afflicted with SAD typically find:

• full remission from depression occurs in the spring and summer months.
• symptoms have occurred in the past two years, with no nonseasonal depression episodes.
• seasonal episodes substantially outnumber nonseasonal depression episodes.
• a craving for sugary and/or starchy foods.

http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm

A lot of this description applies to me; I'm starting to think I should seek out some light therapy! Usually, I feel like I don't need a lot of sleep, but today I took TWO naps - and seriously, I get plenty of sleep. Well, during the week at least. Anyway, I'm doing my best to like this whole Fall thing, but I just wanted people to know that if they feel like crap lately, for no good reason, they're not alone.