It isn't the cold, or even the snow and ice that depresses so many people this time of year. It's a dire lack of daylight, sunshine, all-natural vitamin D, that makes so many of us want to curl up into a fetal position.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) include depression, hopelessness, low energy, irritability, oversleeping, craving carbohydrates and weight gain. Sitting in front of a "light box" that mimics the sun for 30 minutes can help. So can melatonin. You don't have to suffer — see a doctor to find the right solution for you.
Change is coming: Today at 4:44 a.m. the sun's rays hit the Tropic of Capricorn, in the southern hemisphere. Daylight tomorrow will be 3 seconds longer. It turns out decorating evergreen trees, yule logs and mistletoe are vestiges of ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
Relatively mild weather lingers all week with a light mix Friday. No travel problems on Christmas Eve, but a big storm taking a western track will pull enough mild air into Minnesota for mostly rain Christmas Day, after a very icy start.
