How to lessen seasonal affective disorder symptoms

As the days continue to get shorter and colder, it is likely that you or someone you know has started to experience seasonal mood changes.

Symptoms such as a loss of energy, a dip in mood, a lack of interest, or trouble focusing can often be attributed to the lack of daylight we take in—and when they get too disruptive, can be indicative of a mood disorder called seasonal affective disorder (or SAD).

Over 10 million Americans have SAD, which is a type of depression that affects people during the fall and winter months when access to light is limited. But how does light play such a significant role in moderating mental and cognitive health?

Lily Yan, an associate professor in the Michigan State University psychology department and director of the Light, Emotion and Cognition lab, explains how light exposure affects our mood, memory, and motivation:

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