It’s that time of year in the Midwest, when it gets cooler and daylight is limited, and we know winter is coming. Many people notice a drop in mood, less interest in social activities, sleeping more, weight gain, and lower energy during the winter. Some people’s symptoms rise to the level of meeting the clinical criteria for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which is a depressive disorder. Research supports that the reduction in light exposure affects the neurotransmitter function of the tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin pathways leading to SAD symptoms.