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Winter brings more than just ugly sweaters – here’s how the season can affect your mind and behavior

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The American Psychiatric Association estimates that about 5% of Americans will experience a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder.

People experiencing SAD tend to have feelings of hopelessness, decreased motivation to take part in activities they generally enjoy.

SAD tends to be more common in more northern regions of the world, like Scandinavia and Alaska , where the days are shortest and the winters longest.

In countries where the holiday is widely celebrated, rates of charitable giving tend to show a sizable increase around this time of year.

And people become more generous tippers, leaving about 4% more for waitstaff during the holiday season .

This tendency is likely not due to snowy surroundings or darker days , but instead a response to the altruistic values associated with winter holidays .