I grew up in New York, where there were four distinct seasons. When I got to Seattle in 1999, I came to discover there are really only two seasons here.

There’s a warm, sunny period from July to October. And then there’s a long amalgam of fall, winter and spring that seems to be one very long, cool, rainy, gray season. Combine this with a radical dip in hours of sunlight each day (from being a northern latitude), and you may find this long season to be challenging to your psyche. Many people in this town suffer from varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

If this is your first time through, let me share with you some of the ways I have learned to help make it through:

  1. Exercise. Especially hard cardio exercise. Best, cheapest anti-depressant out there. Very good side effects, too!
  2. Get a Lightbox. This Mayo Clinic article describes the benefits of full-spectrum light for those months when the sun is gone.
  3. Try Vitamin D. Or, ask your doctor or naturopath about it (I can’t prescribe). Seattleites are known to suffer from the lack of this very important nutrient.
  4. Keep Active. I have found the couch is a dangerous thing in winter. When it’s dark at 4pm and people get home, they tend to stay home. Fight the urge – keep socializing and doing things you do!
  5. Head to Nature. Another thing that can help is to be outdoors, even if it is cold and rainy. Head to the mountains for some skiing or sledding (the skies there are usually bluer), or over a pass to Eastern WA where once again at least the clouds are usually gone.
  6. Plan a Sun Trip. I heard about these the first few years I was in Seattle. A strategically placed 3, 4 or 5 day trip (say in February or March) to someplace sunny and warm (Arizona, Cabo, etc.) can re-charge your batteries just enough to make it through to summer here.
  7. If It Gets Too Bad, Ask For Help. If your Seasonal Affective Disorder starts getting too bad, don’t feel bad about seeking professional help. A good therapist, or possible screening for anti-depressants from a prescriber are sometimes lifesavers. I should know, I’ve done both!

I wish you the best! Peter