A good balance between work and leisure time is essential to a healthy life. There seems to be a chemical explanation for some of the depression problems that we may have overlooked. The dimmed natural light of winter signals the body to increase the production of melatonin. For many of us who already spend much of our time indoors, the increased production of this chemical makes it intensify. In some people this can create a psychological reaction. Most people maintain their work and social lives at a much more consistent pace throughout the year than did our ancestors in their subsistence farming or fishing societies with their much reduced activity in winter. This problem has been labeled as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The IRPP (The Institute for Research in Public Policy (IRPP.org) an independent,national, non-profit organization, Founded in 1972, based in Montreal).in a study released February 1, 2007 showed that for many Canadians this so-called "leisure-society," in which everyone has more free time, is more likely a myth than a reality. According to this report, the only winners in the "leisure society" are retirees and students, while working parents are the biggest losers.

The IRPP Tells us that retirees and students are the ones to benefit from this "Leisure Society". Sounds great doesn't it? Or does it? More free time with nothing to do will lead to boredom, and depression with all the accompanying problems, especially in the northern hemisphere during the winter months.

The primary feature of SAD is a pattern of depression that occurs with the onset of the winter months. As the days become shorter, and the weather colder, there is an increase in depressive symptoms. Individuals experience chronic fatigue, eat more, sleep more, and experience weight gain. Some have described SAD as hibernation during the winter months.

Individuals have varying degrees of illness from SAD, ranging from debilitating to mildly inconvenient. The symptoms abate once the days become longer and warmer in the Spring. The hibernation is over for another year.

Those who become depressed in the winter months would love to know what they can do to combat this depression. Because of the fact that depression results from both biological and physical factors, it is difficult to define a study that will control all relevant variables so we can get definative answers.

This is still a specific type of clinical depression, and diagnosis that is made by a physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist and is based on symptoms and the history of recurring "winter blues" that goes away in the longer days of spring.

Consider using hobbies for your retirement free time to help with the "winter blues". Find yourself a good hobby. A hobby is a great way to develop skills and even interact with other people. Some of them will generate an extra income stream. A hobby builds on itself in a number of ways. You start out knowing nothing and gradually build a set of skills. Even if these skills aren't particularly useful, the process helps you learn how to learn. Once you've developed the first set of skills the next set is even easier.