This is an opinion article piece. Ava Flores is a junior at Mendham who writes for Sports. All opinions expressed in the following editorial are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Patriot. 

The Holiday season can be the highlight of everyone’s year, however, there are those who may not find the winter season to be pleasurable.

This holiday season can be difficult for people to remain positive especially after this past year. The first Sunday of November marks the end of daylight savings. Once the clock hits 2:00 a.m. we gain an extra hour of sleep but lose hours of daylight. The prolonged nights during the daylight savings period can cause anxiety and depression. The disorder for this mental change is called seasonal depressional disorder which is very common in the winter months. Some of the symptoms of seasonal depression disorder (SAD) results in moodiness and low energy.

In a recent study conducted by Heat Holders, women are known for being four times more likely to experience SAD than men. Additionally, individuals who have a family history of having depression are more likely to suffer more severely from this disorder. Some of the suggested ways to help prevent seasonal affective disorder are embrace hygge, light therapy, practicing yoga, take vitamin D supplements, reach out to friends, and use a sunrise alarm clock. My favorite practice is embracing hygge; hygge is the art of getting cozy! Schedule a night in your week to focus on yourself. Put on your comfiest clothes, grab some tea, and plant yourself in the comfiest couch or bean bag in your home.

Light therapy is medically proven to help reduce stress and anxiety. These light therapy lamps mimic the sunlight, which can increase your energy, help balance your circadian rhythm, and get your day started on a positive note. Another practice I had never heard of was ordering a sunrise alarm clock. The clock is designed to emit light that gradually increases in intensity over a set period of time, usually beginning around 30 minutes before your desired wake-up time. This sunrise alarm clock can be purchased on Amazon for $30 which could be a great gift for yourself or a friend.

Over the course of this year, people are facing possibly the worst hardships of their lives. Therefore, being able to reach out to anyone and spreading love and positivity could do everyone some good as we end this hectic year.