CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Gray skies and short days add up to Seasonal Affective Disorder for many people in Chicago. What to do about it?
This is a busy time for behavioral health services at Central DuPage Hospital.
Program Manager Allison Johnsen says a lot of people are having problems dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.
One piece of advice from her: Look north and across the Atlantic, to Scandinavia. They are experts in dealing with SAD.
They have a concept for socializing and cocooning, and the Danish word is hygge.
"And they actually make a celebration out of that -- cocooning."
Johnsen says the Scandinavians confront the season head-on.
"Invite people in. Keep your social life up. Come in, come over. Play games, share food together. That's a good way to counteract it.
"We kind of isolate. We're alone. Not seeing people, until it gets nice again."
Johnsen says another tip for avoiding the winter blues and blahs: Get more exercise.