What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? by TJ Schoonover, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC It is that time of year where the weather reminds us that we live in Northern Illinois. The temperature drops, the days are shorter, the sun is out less, and there is snow and ice on the ground. When the weather changes from fall to winter, that can affect our mental health. There is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some people have referred to it as the “winter blues.” According to the Mayo clinic, the symptoms for Seasonal Affective Disorder are feeling depressed most of the day, losing interest in activities, low energy, problems with sleep, change in appetite/weight, feeling sluggish or irritated, difficulty concentrating, feeling hopeless, or having frequent thoughts of death. This does not mean that you have to experience all of the symptoms at once; some people only experience a few. These symptoms will pop up around the same time every year (late fall, early winter). According to the National Center for Biotechnology In formation, approximately 6% of people are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, with the majority of those people coming from northern states. There are many ways to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. Here are a few tips on ways you can manage your symp- toms. You can receive counseling, practice mindfulness (meditation, guided imagery, yoga), get outside, exercise, take a trip, or be social. These are a few ways that you can manage your symptoms. If you feel like you have Sea- sonal Affective Disorder, please feel free to contact me (TJ) at 815-284-6611, ext. 384.
TJ is the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Counselor at Crest Foods. This FREE & CONFIDENTIAL service is offered to employees on Tuesdays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Please give TJ a call to set up an appointment, or stop by during his office hours at the Ash- ton Clinic on Rte 38.
Rochelle Township High School Food Science Team Bound for Nationals as representatives from Illinois, a team of 3 students from the Rochelle Township High School Food Science Team visited Crest Foods in October to make sure they were well prepared to compete. Donny Harmon, Eliza Petry, and Claire Plapp spent the day touring our research labs and talking with Crest employees about food science, marketing and quality control with the ultimate goal of being able to formulate a healthy snack
food containing minimal additives for a clean nutrition label. On October 27th, the RTHS Food Science team was designated 8th in the United States at the FFA National Convention in India- napolis, Indiana. Thanks to Jeff Hacaga, Joe Loquasto, Dan Brown, Emily Plapp and Kristina McWethy for spending time with these students and getting them prepared for nationals!
Donny Harmon, Eliza Petry & Claire Plapp from RTHS, Jeff Hacaga
20 Crest Ink January, February & March 2018
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