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CNN Sunday Morning

Winter Woes

Aired November 23, 2003 - 09:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Winter is just around the corner, and our Holly Firfer says that's going to make millions of people sad in more ways than one.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 'Tis the season to...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stay in the house and want to eat more.

FIRFER: Wait, that's not it. Or is it? For some, this time of year is anything but jolly. According to some health experts, one out of every six people suffers from some form of winter depression. The average adult will gain a couple of pounds and suffer from one to two respiratory illnesses each year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just doesn't seem to be as happy. Just kind of blah.

DR. CHARLES RAISON, EMORY UNIVERSITY: I think part of it is definitely the fact that some minority of people are affected negatively by cold, gray weather. It makes them feel slow, a little bit less interested in things. They sleep a little bit more.

FIRFER: And there are some who suffer from a more serious form of winter depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

RAISON: It describes people who, on a regular basis every year, just as a response to the seasons begin to feel blue.

Depression, lethargy, anxiety and mood change are common symptoms of this often disables condition.

FIRFER: Doctors say there are some things you can do to fight the winter blues. Spend more time in the sunshine, even if you have to bundle up. Head outdoors and get some fresh air. Even if you crave fattening foods, try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Exercise. And if you are feeling really depressed, see your doctor. You might be a candidate for antidepressants or light therapy.

RAISON: Almost everyone benefits from getting a light box and sitting under it for an hour or two the morning.

FIRFER: Weight gain can also lead to depression.

RAISON: It's a terrible psychological stress. People feel bad about themselves, they beat up on themselves.

FIRFER: Doctors say, if you're less active in the cold weather, then eat less, drink more water, and if you are at a holiday buffet, for instance, try this.

RAISON: Eat the dessert first. It turns out that eating dessert first, the food is so rich and sweet it satisfies your appetite. So you don't tend to eat as much afterwards.

FIRFER: Does this sound familiar?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A sneeze, coughing, runny nose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't go out and do anything. Just sitting at home, being sick.

RAISON: There are several studies now showing that on average, people undergo a cold, or especially something worse like the flu, will actually feel more depressed for a few months afterwards, compared to people who haven't.

FIRFER: So take your doctor's advice. Get a flu shot. And if you feel like you are coming down with something, listen to your body. Slow down and take care of yourself.

We can't change the weather, but we can make the season a jolly one.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 23, 2003 - 09:34   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Winter is just around the corner, and our Holly Firfer says that's going to make millions of people sad in more ways than one.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 'Tis the season to...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stay in the house and want to eat more.

FIRFER: Wait, that's not it. Or is it? For some, this time of year is anything but jolly. According to some health experts, one out of every six people suffers from some form of winter depression. The average adult will gain a couple of pounds and suffer from one to two respiratory illnesses each year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just doesn't seem to be as happy. Just kind of blah.

DR. CHARLES RAISON, EMORY UNIVERSITY: I think part of it is definitely the fact that some minority of people are affected negatively by cold, gray weather. It makes them feel slow, a little bit less interested in things. They sleep a little bit more.

FIRFER: And there are some who suffer from a more serious form of winter depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

RAISON: It describes people who, on a regular basis every year, just as a response to the seasons begin to feel blue.

Depression, lethargy, anxiety and mood change are common symptoms of this often disables condition.

FIRFER: Doctors say there are some things you can do to fight the winter blues. Spend more time in the sunshine, even if you have to bundle up. Head outdoors and get some fresh air. Even if you crave fattening foods, try to eat more fruits and vegetables. Exercise. And if you are feeling really depressed, see your doctor. You might be a candidate for antidepressants or light therapy.

RAISON: Almost everyone benefits from getting a light box and sitting under it for an hour or two the morning.

FIRFER: Weight gain can also lead to depression.

RAISON: It's a terrible psychological stress. People feel bad about themselves, they beat up on themselves.

FIRFER: Doctors say, if you're less active in the cold weather, then eat less, drink more water, and if you are at a holiday buffet, for instance, try this.

RAISON: Eat the dessert first. It turns out that eating dessert first, the food is so rich and sweet it satisfies your appetite. So you don't tend to eat as much afterwards.

FIRFER: Does this sound familiar?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A sneeze, coughing, runny nose.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't go out and do anything. Just sitting at home, being sick.

RAISON: There are several studies now showing that on average, people undergo a cold, or especially something worse like the flu, will actually feel more depressed for a few months afterwards, compared to people who haven't.

FIRFER: So take your doctor's advice. Get a flu shot. And if you feel like you are coming down with something, listen to your body. Slow down and take care of yourself.

We can't change the weather, but we can make the season a jolly one.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com