The shortest day of the year is upon us. Here’s how to survive the next three months of dark, cold days, according to an expert on seasonal affective disorder.
Winter begins on December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere — that’s the winter solstice and the darkest day of the year.
Psychologists say most of us don’t have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
But winter is still a time when many people feel down, and there are simple things you can do to help.
December 21 is the darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. People in New York will get just over 9 hours 15 minutes of sun, while in Anchorage, Alaska there will be fewer than 5 and a half hours of light. It’s the December solstice, and it officially heralds the start of winter.
Though the Earth is actually closer to the sun in December and January than it is in June or July, the sun is aimed more directly at the Southern Hemisphere during these months, which means days in the North are shorter and colder.
Tech: A psychologist reveals 3 simple ways to feel happier during dark winter days
