Wellness, Education & Community Resources
Discover practical strategies, nourishing recipes, and inspiring stories from Dr. Jean Wright to help you live with purpose and resilience.
DO YOU HAVE SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)?
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. Most often, symptoms begin in late fall or early winter and start to lift in spring when daylight increases. Clinically, it’s considered a type of major depression or bipolar disorder with a “seasonal pattern,” rather than a separate illness.
What causes SAD?
SAD is strongly linked to reduced exposure to natural sunlight during shorter fall and winter days. Less light can disrupt the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), lower serotonin, and alter melatonin levels. People with a personal or family history of depression or bipolar disorder appear to be at higher risk.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
SAD includes persistent sadness, low mood, loss of interest in activities, tiredness, oversleeping, increased appetite, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating. Severe cases may involve feelings of worthlessness or thoughts of death or suicide.
What are the most effective treatments? Bright-light therapy is one of the most effective treatments. Counseling, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, can be helpful. Medication may be prescribed in some cases. Healthy routines—daylight exposure, physical activity, regular sleep, and social connection—also monitoring and support for negative moods
WHAT WILL YOU FIX IN 2026?
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that waiting for “someday” is an expensive hobby. So as I look at 2026, I’m not making resolutions—I’m making fixes. Practical ones. Sustainable ones. The kind that quietly changes your life while you’re busy living it. Here’s what I can fix in 2026. And so can you!
Three Fixes for Money Problems
1. I can stop confusing income with security. More money doesn’t equal peace if it disappears as fast as it arrives. In 2026, I can focus on systems—automated savings, clear spending categories, and one boring-but-beautiful emergency fund. Financial calm is underrated and extremely attractive.
2. I can charge what my work is worth—without flinching. Discounting expertise doesn’t make it more accessible; it makes it less sustainable. In 2026, I can price for value, not guilt. The right people don’t need convincing. They need clarity.
3. I can make my money work harder than I do. No more letting dollars sit around like confused interns. Whether it’s interest-bearing accounts, digital products, or smart reinvestment, money should earn its keep. Lazy money is expensive money.
Three Fixes for Relationship Problems
1. I can stop over-explaining myself. Healthy relationships don’t require constant justification. In 2026, I can say what I mean once—clearly and kindly—and let adults be adults. Exhaustion is not a communication strategy.
2. I can address small tensions before they become big dramas. Most relationship blowups are just ignored whispers that have learned how to shout. I can fix that by handling things early, calmly, and without a courtroom-level presentation of evidence.
3. I can invest where there’s mutual effort. Connection should feel like tennis, not wall practice. In 2026, I can nurture relationships where care flows both ways—and gently release the ones that only thrive on my over-functioning.
Three Fixes for Health Problems
1. I can prioritize consistency over intensity. Extreme plans don’t win—repeatable ones do. In 2026, I’d choose daily walks over occasional hero workouts and simple meals over complicated food rules. Sustainable beats impressive every time.
2. I can treat rest as a requirement, not a reward. Burnout is not a badge of honor. I can schedule recovery the same way I schedule work, because a rested body makes better decisions—and fewer late-night snack negotiations.
3. I can listen sooner instead of later. My body gives polite hints before it sends certified letters. In 2026, I can pay attention to early sleep, stress, hydration, and movement—before minor issues demand significant interventions.
If I fix these nine things in 2026, life doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be lighter, more precise, and a lot more intentional. And honestly? That’s a future worth fixing!
RESILIENCE VS BURNOUT SERIES
1 OF 8 (HEALTH)
If you’re like most of us, you spend your days taking care of others and putting your own needs last. Even if you’re not like most of us, chances are your body would appreciate loving yourself better. A lot of us think taking better care of ourselves adds to the long list of to-dos, but giving our bodies some love doesn’t have to be a burden. Moving more—whether it’s a brisk walk, a dance session in the living room, or some backyard gardening—can lift our mood, sharpen our thinking, and help us sleep more soundly. Remember, if nothing changes, nothing changes!
Who among us doesn’t deserve a bit more positive attention? Walking is an easy win; it’s a natural mood booster that eases stress and improves sleep quality. Even tiny “movement breaks” make a difference: five minutes of strolling every half hour has been shown to lower blood pressure and blood sugar, boost energy, and brighten our outlook. A lap around the block, around the office, or a walk through the school halls can become a powerful act of self‑care—and we don’t need any fancy gear besides our favourite shoes and maybe a sense of humour.
As much as we pay out in time, energy, and yes, money, shouldn’t we have better days? What we put on our plates and how we rest should be high-quality! Filling our plates with fruits and vegetables and sticking to a consistent bedtime helps our immune system stay strong and keeps our energy steady. During quality sleep, our bodies produce infection‑fighting proteins and cells, and most of us need seven to nine hours to recharge.
If squeezing in a workout feels impossible, we can break it up into short walks or treat ourselves to five‑minute strolls between other activities. And don’t forget what a few stairs can do for us! Swapping processed snacks for colourful produce and setting a bedtime that gives us the rest we need are small changes that can help us feel brighter, steadier, and more resilient—exactly what we need to support the young people who count on us.
Who said we have to come in last when it comes to caring for ourselves? It’s time to stand up and fight for what we deserve! Start by setting some realistic goals for yourself concerning food, rest, and relationships. What’s a better way to repay you for all you do?