Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 15, 2023 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy Dear Sam, If you get depressed in the winter but feel better in spring and summer, you may indeed have seasonal aff ective disorder, or SAD, a wintertime depression that aff ects roughly 5 percent of Americans. In most cases, SAD is related to the loss of sunlight in the winter months. Reduced sunlight can upset natural sleepwake cycles and other circadian rhythms that can aff ect the body. It can also cause a drop in the brain chemical serotonin, which aff ects mood, and can increase the levels of the hormone melatonin, which can make you feel more tired and lethargic. If you think you may have SAD, a trip to your doctor’s offi ce is the best way to diagnose it or you can take a SAD “self-assessment” test at the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at CET.org/assessments. If you fi nd that you have SAD, here are several treatment options and remedies that can help. Light therapy: The most eff ective treatment for SAD is sitting in front of a specialized light therapy box for 20 to 30 minutes a day, within the fi rst hour of waking up in the morning. Light therapy mimics outdoor light to cause a change in brain chemicals linked to mood. While you can buy a light box without a prescription, it’s best to use it under the guidance of a health care provider and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost. The best light therapy lamps provide 10,000 lux of illumination, many times stronger than typical indoor light, and have a diff user screen that fi lters out ultraviolet rays and projects downward toward the eyes. Some top-rated light therapy products include the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Lamp ($145); Northern Light Technology Boxelite-OS ($205); and the budget friendly Verilux HappyLight Luxe ($70), all of which are available at Amazon.com. Cognitive behavioral therapy: Even though SAD is considered to be a biological problem, identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns can help alleviate symptoms too. To help you with this, choose a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and who has experience in treating SAD. To locate someone in your area, Psychology Today off ers a search tool at PsychologyToday.com/us/therapists/cognitive-behavioral-cbt. Antidepressants: Some people with SAD benefi t from antidepressant treatments too. Some proven medications to ask your doctor about are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the extended-release antidepressant bupropion. But keep in mind that it may take several weeks to notice full benefi ts from an antidepressant. In addition, you may have to try diff erent medications before you fi nd one that works well for you and has the fewest side eff ects. Lifestyle remedies: Some other things you can do to help alleviate your SAD symptoms include making your environment sunnier and brighter. So, open up your blinds, sit closer to bright windows and get outside as much as you can. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help, especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga and even tai chi can also help alleviate SAD symptoms, as can social activities. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. Christopher Rosa City of Malden Tree Warden December 15, 22, 2023 iori by Jim Miller How to Ease the Winter Blues Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about seasonal aff ective disorder? I’ve always disliked winter, but since I retired and am home a lot more, the gray, cold winter months make me feel really blue. Sad Sam OBITUARIES Robert ‘Bobby’ Joseph Giardino Of Malden. Passed away tragically in a car accident on December 6, 2023. He was 18 years old. Robert was born in Florida but was a longtime resident of Malden and was a senior of Northeast Regional Vocational High School majoring in plumbing while working for Powder House Plumbing. He was the loving son of David P. Giardino and Ana (Cunha) Giardino. He is survived by his grandfather Robert A. Giardino and many other Aunts, Uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers, Truck Mafi a and his dog Snuff y. He was predeceased by his grandparents Lorraine (Jackson) Giardino, and Joseph and Maria (Cabral) Cunha. Bobby was never more in his element than when he was working on his truck and doing donuts in J Lot with his friends. Bobby was the go-to for his friends especially when it came to helping them with their trucks, since he had all Milwaukee tools. Driving around on an empty tank didn’t stop him from going to McDonalds to grab a bacon cheeseburger minus the onions, which seems to have been his favorite meal since he ranked over 70k in reward points. Bobby will be forever loved and never forgotten. Bobs_5.4 will forever live on. Visiting hours will be held at the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden on Saturday December 16th from 9:00am-12:00pm. A prayer service will be held at 12:00pm following the visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of fl owers donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston at arlboston.org William Steven "Billy” Murphy Of Malden. On the evening of December 9, 2023, Billy passed away peacefully at Boston Medical Center with his family by his side, after a one-year battle with metastatic cancer. Billy was born at BHRC| SEE PAGE 17 CITY OF MALDEN Forest Dale Cemetery 150 Forest Street Malden, MA 02148 Telephone: 781-397-7191 / Fax: 781-388-0849 Christopher Rosa., Superintendent of Cemeteries / Tree Warden LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF MALDEN PUBLIC TREE HEARING In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87, Section 3, notice is herewith given that a public hearing will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, the 3rd day of January 2024 at Malden City Hall Conference Room 105, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts for the purpose of determining if the twenty-four (24) public shade trees shall be removed or remain per the Tree Warden of the City of Malden. The trees are located at or around the address identified below: Address Street ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK ROOSEVELT PARK FITZGERALD PARK FITZGERALD PARK FITZGERALD PARK DBH (IN) 17 17 17 17 19 22 14 8 8 6 6 16 11 15 14 17 11 7 7 12 7 6 6 22 Common Name LITTLELEAF LINDEN LITTLELEAF LINDEN LITTLELEAF LINDEN WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) COTTONWOOD(POPLAR) LITTLELEAF LINDEN HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST HONEY LOCUST BRADFORD PEAR BRADFORD PEAR SUGAR MAPLE OBJECTIONS TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY TREE(S) MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY THE TREE WARDEN AT THE ABOVE LISTED ADDRESS PRIOR TO OR AT THE TREE HEARING.
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