Ep. 239 Seasonal Affective Disorder: More than the winter blues | #GoodGrowing
Fri Feb 06 2026
Feeling a little low this winter? You’re not alone. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Family Life Educator Tessa Hobbs‑Curley joins us to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder. Learn about what it is, how it differs from the usual winter blues, coping strategies, and more.
Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdOQ8xNM9aI
Skip to what you want to know:
03:14 – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? How is it diagnosed?
06:14 – How is SAD different from just feeling bummed about the weather?
10:11 – How is fall/winter SAD different than spring/summer SAD?
12:35 – Do certain groups, such as farmers or gardeners, experience SAD differently?
19:42 – What about children and SAD?
22:46 – How does less green in our environment affect mental health?
32:31 – What are some strategies to help us cope with SAD?
45:56 – Resources to learn more about SAD
47:56 – A little more on light therapy
51:04 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!
More information:
Mao Clinic: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
National Institute of Mental Health: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Illinois Extension: How to manage the winter blues
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Mental Health America: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Contact us!
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu
Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe
Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.
Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk
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You can find us on most podcast platforms.
iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377
Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR
Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/
Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/
Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902
Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
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Feeling a little low this winter? You’re not alone. This week on the Good Growing Podcast, Family Life Educator Tessa Hobbs‑Curley joins us to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder. Learn about what it is, how it differs from the usual winter blues, coping strategies, and more. Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdOQ8xNM9aI Skip to what you want to know: 03:14 – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? How is it diagnosed? 06:14 – How is SAD different from just feeling bummed about the weather? 10:11 – How is fall/winter SAD different than spring/summer SAD? 12:35 – Do certain groups, such as farmers or gardeners, experience SAD differently? 19:42 – What about children and SAD? 22:46 – How does less green in our environment affect mental health? 32:31 – What are some strategies to help us cope with SAD? 45:56 – Resources to learn more about SAD 47:56 – A little more on light therapy 51:04 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye! More information: Mao Clinic: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) National Institute of Mental Health: Seasonal Affective Disorder Illinois Extension: How to manage the winter blues Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Seasonal Affective Disorder Mental Health America: Seasonal Affective Disorder Contact us! Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies. Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk -- You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us