(KYTX) - A dark and gloomy day can affect more than just your afternoon plans. It can affect your mood.
Winter is the prime time for people to get Seasonal Affective Disorder. Research shows it can also occur during any season.
"I just don't want to be social and stuff like that," said Longview resident Logan Marshburn.
"I'm not motivated to do much except whenever I'm forced to go out," he said.
That's why Marshburn decided to force himself to put on his running shoes and hit the running trail. It's something Letourneau University Psychology Professor Jeffrey Quiett highly recommends.
"Weather can be one of those things that can affect our mood or at least influence our mood," he said.
Quiett believes so many people tend to become depressed during long periods of heavy rain because of lack of physical activity.
"I don't like running in the rain. Nobody does," said Quiett. "So I tend to run less when it's raining which to be honest affects my mood."
And if you start feeling under the weather, resist the urge to pick up a remote.
"The drug of choice for depressed people is television. They tend to watch television a lot which of course decreases your physical activity which contributes to depression," he said.
Quiett says sometimes just a positive attitude and a smile can lead to a much brighter day.
Some people recommend light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder, but Quiett says there isn't a lot of research to prove it works. He says a quick jog around the block is much more effective.
