The calendar may say March but winter is still alive and well in Iowa.

During this time of year, Iowans tend to suffer from the “winter blues,” which Greene County Extension Human Science Specialist Dr. David Brown says snow and wintertime makes people “hibernate” and stay inside more often. “People in our society are already spending about 90-percent of the time indoors, we are not getting out as much. And (winter blues) impacts women four times more than men. So women are more at risk for this.”

Dr. Brown points out the signs and symptoms of winter blues include: isolation, increased sleepiness and appetite, low energy and irritability. He adds that for some people, winter blues can lead to seasonal affective disorder which is similar to depression.

Brown shares how to combat this disorder. “So we’re talking probably accessing some type of cognitive type of therapy, maybe and potentially antidepressant medication, and of course you can get the light therapy, which is basically purchasing a fully-spectrum light box. You need to make sure it is 20-60 minutes and make sure the box has about 10,000-lux light, and that would be the recommended strength of the light that you would have to purchase.”

Dr. Brown also suggests opening your home to as much natural sunlight as possible, getting outdoors for as much fresh air as possible, vacationing to a warmer climate, relaxation techniques, music and art therapy and increasing exercise.