RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – It’s the gloomiest time of the year, and some people are really feeling it.

“It’s harder to get up and meet people or get information or go to yoga because the motivation is lacking,” said Richmond resident Fiona Jensen.

Winter affects the blues 5% of the US population and is usually caused by short daylight hours and cold weather outside.

“When it’s cold outside, it’s nice to sit inside and cuddle,” Jensen said.

with Hayley Jenkins RVA Consulting He said that fatigue and laziness are normal feelings during the winter months.

“When the temperature starts to change or the amount of light around you starts to change, the rhythms or routines that you’re in feel different, weird,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins, people who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) usually feels this way about 40% of the year.

“Many people can notice the things they enjoy over the summer, the energy levels they have and even their mood; with such bright, sunny, long days and so much to do, it seemed different. We wait impatiently and then it may start to wane, or it may change.” ” he said.

Jensen experienced this feeling firsthand.

“In the summer it’s a big change because it’s assumed that I’ll go and do something after work, and in the winter it’s the opposite. It’s weird when I don’t start watching TV after work,” Jensen said.

Seasonal depression may also manifest itself in decreased comfort eating, socializing, or mood swings.

Jenkins says a good way to cope is through therapy, light therapy, medication, or just doing something for fun.

“Include things in your schedule that make you feel good,” he said.

But if someone notices that these low emotions continue into the winter months, it may be a sign that something else is going on.

“Seasonal affective disorder can almost act as a starting point of, ‘Oh, okay, we’re noticing this.’ Maybe let’s look at a bigger picture, maybe look at a bigger timeline of my experiences as a person and see if that might point to a larger pattern,” Jenkins said.

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