Winter's chill is not just outside, it is affecting moods, too.

Nearly four in 10 Americans report feeling gloomier in the colder months but experts said there are ways to shake off the slump.

Seasonal affective disorder is the official name for the winter blues. It is a type of depression linked to seasonal changes.

Matthew Macaluso, professor of psychiatry and vice chair at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explained while the exact causes of seasonal affective disorder are not fully understood, several biological factors are at play. They include a person's serotonin production, melatonin regulation, and cortisol levels, all of which influence mood and energy.

"What we commonly see is that people can fall asleep more quickly than normal," Macaluso observed. "They may even oversleep. They may eat more than normal or crave carbohydrates. We can sometimes see them gain weight. They'll have a change in mood, where they might feel low."

He recommended reaching out first to a primary care provider if you are concerned about symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. He warned in severe cases, symptoms could signal a crisis, even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. He urged anyone experiencing those feelings to seek immediate help by calling 911, going to the nearest emergency room, or calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

While professional help is important, Macaluso pointed out there are also simple ways to help curb winter blues on your own. Increasing light exposure, through natural sunlight or 10,000 lux light therapy lamps light therapy, can make a big difference. Staying socially connected and unplugging from screens can be helpful. He added even small shifts in daily routines can improve mood.

"Being mindful of diet, exercise, light exposure, trying to get outside even in the winter," Macaluso outlined. "Getting out for a walk, getting out for a jog, if appropriate for the person's health, and to avoid things that get people in trouble, like overeating during the holidays or overindulging."

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, stressed the importance of a strong support system and seeking help when needed. In addition to primary care doctors, she said virtual care has become a widely accessible option.

"You might be surprised to learn that your health insurance plan includes telehealth benefits, often at no or very low cost to you," Randall emphasized. "Those telehealth benefits generally include telebehavioral health."

She added some insurance plans or workplace wellness programs may also offer extra resources to help with mental health and everyday challenges.

Ohioans are seeing changes in their water infrastructure as cities work to replace lead service lines, a requirement under federal regulations.

But concerns have risen over the materials being used for replacements.

Teresa McGrath, chief research officer with the group Habitable, said while lead exposure poses significant health risks, she cautions against replacing these pipes with polyvinyl chloride due to its environmental and health implications.

"It's important to get those lead pipes out. Let's prioritize that," said McGrath. "But let's not make a regrettable substitution while we do that."

PVC production involves hazardous chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen. However, PVC remains a popular choice because of its lower cost and ease of installation.

Environmental health advocate Yvette Jordan - the chair emeritus of the Newark Education Workers Caucus, and a steering committee member at Lead Free NJ - underscores the importance for Ohioans to be well informed about their environments.

"What is in their home?" said Jordan. "If they have a service line, is it plastic? Copper? What exactly is it and how does that affect their health, their community, and most importantly their families and children who are most affected by this?"

McGrath highlighted specific concerns about PVC and alternative materials that could be safer.

"The best available water pipe that we have evaluated for use inside a home is copper pipes," said McGrath, "and we will be the first ones to tell you that copper pipes are not perfect, but it is the best available."




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March is National Nutrition Month and rising grocery costs, and food recalls have consumers revisiting the idea of growing their own healthier and more affordable food. Research from gardening site, Gardenp.com shows the average garden produces $600 worth of produce. Indiana farmer's markets attract large numbers of Hoosiers who want fresh, farm-grown fruits, vegetables, and other staples at reasonable prices.

Philip Hartman, president of InstaFarm, which creates countertop food gardens, said foods grown in the healthiest chemical-free soil will produce optimum crops.

"So your food that you buy at the grocery store, your produce, has typically lost up to around 50% of its nutritional value by the time it gets to the store. Also, you don't know how it was grown. So the quality of your produce is linked to the quality of your soil," he said.

Lower costs, convenience, and fewer pesticides make garden-to-table food even more appealing. Hartman advises beginner gardeners to use healthy, nutrient-rich soil because it improves the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. Gardens use a large amount of soil nutrients and when soil is depleted of these necessary nutrients, the crops are affected too.

Hartman works with students from kindergarten through high school and is passionate about helping children understand where their food comes from. He notes children don't get to see a farm or where their food is grown until they are well into their late teens.

"It's amazing, you know, children that don't usually like vegetables, when they engage in the growing process, all of a sudden, they're inspired to eat this and it's a great way to train them about what's good for them and how to recognize healthy foods," he added.

Gardenpals.com says millennials make up 29% of gardener demographics. Indiana is home to over 60,000 farms covering over 19 million acres. The state ranks in the top five for growing corn, soybeans, blueberries, tomatoes and melons, according to the Indiana Department of Agriculture.

A Minnesota Senate committee today will hear testimony about a rare but scary scenario for families: sudden cardiac events in school settings.

A bill calls for staff training requirements for responding to emergencies. The American Heart Association says each year, more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital and 40% are sports-related.

The proposal would require a school district or charter school to develop a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, so staff know what to do in those critical moments.

Kelly Youland, a Woodbury mother, experienced it firsthand when her baby became unresponsive leaving a Chicago baseball stadium.

"Ultimately, she required CPR for 16 minutes before her pulse came back," Youland recalled.

She and her husband both work in the medical field and had the instincts to help get lifesaving efforts underway. Thankfully, her daughter recovered, inspiring Youland to speak in support of the bill. It includes $2 million to help schools develop plans and secure automated external defibrillators. The Minnesota State High School League testified existing protocols and partnerships already cover this need.

The League did express a desire to work with lawmakers on this measure, citing the need for flexibility amid resource constraints. Youland acknowledged she and her family were lucky but other emergency responses have been slow to come together. She feels such situations can be avoided.

"Our schools prepare for all sorts of emergencies, whether they're fire, weather, lockdown," Youland pointed out. "This is something that our schools need to prepare for."

A bill adopted by the Minnesota Legislature last year called on the Education Department to provide a blueprint for the plans but they remain optional. Last month, a Maple Grove High School track athlete died after going into cardiac arrest following a non-team practice near the school.