A presidential election in the midst of a pandemic is as stressful a time as any, and it’s important to look out for friends and family. 

Spending time with th​e important people in your life is a necessary escape from the uncertainty surrounding the tail end of this year. 

As fall begins to turn to winter and the country continues to divide itself, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, establishes its presence in the psyche of many. 

The Mayo Clinic defines SAD as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons,” ​and states that most people with SAD experience the start of symptoms, including but not limited to feeling depressed or having low energy, in the fall and into the winter.

These feelings and symptoms are only exacerbated by the turmoil currently happening in the U.S.

That’s why we at the Daily Eastern News believe that spending time with loved ones can act as an antidote to SAD and confusion about the election.

Self-care is always an important thing to make a part of day-to-day life as well as checking in on those in your life but in times of a pandemic, an election thats results may take days or weeks to know the official outcome and amidst a time where many people experience seasonal depression it is more important to strengthen those bonds and connections in life.

Check in on those in your life that may seem like they need some extra love and guidance, give them your time and show them you care.

It could mean more than you or they realize in the moment.

The Mayo Clinic’s page about SAD also encourages those experiencing symptoms to take measures to ensure a consistent mood and motivation levels. 

“Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the ‘winter blues’ or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.”