Seasonal Affective Disorder is in full bloom with short days and long dark evenings and nights…here is what you need to know.
 Season Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common winter ailment. Roughly 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it typically lasts about 40 percent of the year. More women than men are hit with this issue.  SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter.  How do you know know if you have it, what to do and does where you live make a difference? Here are the states must likely to have SAD and can weed help?
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One of the most crucial steps in combating SAD is properly identifying its symptoms. Some of those symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Sleepiness and fatigue
- Weight gain
- Suicidal thoughts
- And several others
Those who are suffering from any of these symptoms should refrain from self-diagnosis and seek professional assistance.Â
There are a number of ways to offset some of the sadness that comes with the changing of the seasons. or example. While there is more clinical research needed, is data suggesting that CBD could help to alleviate anxiety and support healthy sleep patterns. CBD has also been seen as instrumental in boosting dopamine levels.
Cannabis contains cannabinoids which can have a positive impact on mood, while potentially increasing serotonin levels. Marijuana is also a proven sleep aide. Â Sleep can help your body rebalance and directly help moods.
Once you have been diagnosed, make a plan and you will see gradually improvement. Â Travel to bright places can help.
RELATED: 5 Ways To Overcome The Winter Blues This Year
Based on a study, here is the data on chances of having SAD based on where you live.
State |
Average ° F |
Average rainfall in Inches |
Total Hours of sunlight |
Highest Chances of S.A.D Based on weather 0/90 |
Alaska |
26.7 |
2.49 |
358 |
74.25 |
New York |
48.1 |
3.76 |
414 |
68.14 |
Washington |
48.5 |
3.46 |
437 |
66.97 |
Vermont |
45.7 |
3.77 |
451 |
66.54 |
Michigan |
47.3 |
3.08 |
474 |
62.90 |
New Hampshire |
46.3 |
3.84 |
526 |
62.61 |
Maine |
44.2 |
3.71 |
564 |
61.43 |
Connecticut |
51.2 |
4.35 |
562 |
60.08 |
Wisconsin |
45.7 |
2.84 |
498 |
59.91 |
Oregon |
48.9 |
2.29 |
467 |
58.94 |
Massachusetts |
50.3 |
4.11 |
587 |
56.63 |
New Jersey |
54.8 |
3.76 |
576 |
56.00 |
Rhode Island |
53.1 |
4.04 |
590 |
55.96 |
Pennsylvania |
50.9 |
3.58 |
566 |
55.61 |
Ohio |
52.9 |
2.95 |
499 |
54.68 |
Minnesota |
43.5 |
2.25 |
527 |
54.66 |
Indiana |
53.8 |
3.25 |
546 |
53.92 |
West Virginia |
53.3 |
3.31 |
644 |
53.69 |
Illinois |
53.8 |
3.15 |
565 |
52.59 |
Delaware |
57.4 |
3.62 |
586 |
52.19 |
Tennessee |
58.6 |
3.98 |
591 |
51.67 |
Kentucky |
57 |
3.55 |
579 |
51.21 |
Maryland |
56.1 |
3.58 |
586 |
51.08 |
Louisiana |
67.4 |
4.56 |
643 |
51.07 |
Virginia |
56.5 |
3.58 |
644 |
50.25 |
North Carolina |
60.2 |
3.92 |
617 |
49.68 |
Missouri |
56 |
3.7 |
610 |
49.61 |
Arkansas |
61.4 |
4.33 |
616 |
49.16 |
Hawaii |
71.8 |
5.23 |
546 |
49.08 |
Mississippi |
64.2 |
4.13 |
642 |
48.94 |
Iowa |
49.8 |
2.68 |
588 |
48.87 |
Alabama |
63.7 |
4.07 |
622 |
48.67 |
Florida |
72.7 |
4.24 |
659 |
47.72 |
North Dakota |
42 |
1.29 |
560 |
47.37 |
South Carolina |
63.4 |
3.7 |
669 |
45.38 |
South Dakota |
46.4 |
1.36 |
627 |
43.47 |
Nebraska |
49.5 |
1.6 |
610 |
43.07 |
Montana |
43 |
1.08 |
576 |
42.85 |
Georgia |
64.6 |
3.47 |
701 |
42.54 |
Kansas |
55.4 |
2.19 |
642 |
40.41 |
Oklahoma |
60.6 |
3.32 |
695 |
40.19 |
Texas |
65.5 |
2.71 |
658 |
37.80 |
Idaho |
44.8 |
1.48 |
661 |
35.60 |
Wyoming |
42.5 |
0.97 |
679 |
33.70 |
California |
60.9 |
1.47 |
727 |
31.74 |
Utah |
49.1 |
1.12 |
700 |
30.58 |
Colorado |
45.9 |
1.18 |
734 |
26.02 |
New Mexico |
53.8 |
1.32 |
802 |
19.50 |
Nevada |
50.2 |
0.76 |
851 |
19.36 |
Arizona |
61.3 |
1.16 |
888 |
6.72 |