CoLab Nashville offers the tips to combat the seasonal affective disorder

Cooler temperatures are setting in, and the hours of daylight are growing shorter. By the time many of us end our workdays, dusk has already set in.

We might not feel quite as cheerful as during the spring and summer. We’re more tired, irritable and can’t seem to satisfy our raging appetites.

Does this sound like you? You might be experiencing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that affects mostly women during the fall and winter months. It’s often called “the winter blues,” and its likely cause is a lack of sunlight. Six of 100 people suffer from the disorder, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

As small business owners — with many of us working in customer service — we can’t afford to let our work be affected by our mood. So here’s how you can manage:

Proper sleep. Good sleeping habits are essential to maintain energy and mood.
A healthy diet. A diet rich in fresh vegetables and lean protein helps boost energy and mood.
Exercise more often. Endorphins, neurotransmitters that pass along signals from one neuron to the next, are natural pain and stress fighters. They’re activated through physical activity, so get moving!
Get more vitamin D. A daily dose of this vitamin is a natural mood lifter during the cold months. Spend some time in the sun, and if it’s too cold, take a vitamin D supplement.