We had the first snowflakes of the season fall in Nashville today, and other areas in the country have gotten their early dustings, as well. With the snowflakes can come Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The exact cause is unknown, but Western medicine attributes it to decreased sunlight and melatonin levels.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fall and winter are the Yin seasons, and people who are already yin in nature become more vulnerable to yin conditions. There can be an increased tendency towards moodiness, headaches, and fatigue. This leads to cravings for carbohydrates – a quick source of energy. For people with yin natures and SAD, it can be hard to concentrate, and those affected may have a decreased libido, as well.