January is the month of fresh starts and new experiences, yet for some reason it is the month that statistically has the most suicides and depressive episodes reported. According to the website worldometers, there were more than 5,000 deaths by suicide reported on the first day of this year.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), more commonly called the January blues, affects at least 10 million people in the United States. But SAD is more than just feeling down post-holiday parties. SAD is caused by many factors, including the disappointment of holidays, the shorter days, bad weather, and overall, longer nights.

For those who are not diagnosed with SAD, the angst of the colder months may just be a passing feeling, but for those who are, the January blues may be there for more months than just the middle of winter. SAD often starts during the late fall, sometimes early winter, and can affect someone until early spring!

In the end, if you get the January blues, turn them into the January woos! Remember that the sad feelings of January are just passing emotions, and everything will get better if you wait!