Seasonal Affective Disorder

It's time to get aware.


A great amount of people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as Seasonal Depression.

This is where an individual is affected by a change in season/weather. It is associated with seasons/weather that are darker, damp, wet, cold and gloomy. The kind that one could say is the type of prophetic fallacy to cry to or feel down about.

If you notice that you have a drastic change in how you feel and think around the colder and darker seasons you may suffer from S.A.D. This is okay, and you can breathe now because you are not depressed although you very much feel like it. However this is not to say that you cannot become depressed from S.A.D. It can unfortunately trigger such but this post is about identifying and preventing. This is temporary and whilst we wait, here is what you can do to help.




1. ENVIRONMENT

Your environment plays an extremely important role in how you feel and can impact your mood greatly. A piece of advice is to not limit yourself to the four corners of your bedroom with curtains closed, lack of light. Try and alternate by even going to your living room or a different room in the house. Try going to a different cafe, out for a walk to catch some fresh air and surround yourself with nature. From personal experience I know that it can be difficult to produce new feelings and habits if you are not presented with a new environment to stimulate this.

Studies also show that environments with bright and natural light help reduce depression and anxiety, your room set up is essential here.  In addition to this reducing any mess helps you have a clearer mind. For example, you come home, everywhere is a mess, you are more likely to add to the mess and clutter rather than clean it up straight away due to tiredness, lack of motivation etc... It makes you happy to see everything is organised and less stressful. So do these things that makes life easier for you.

2. ISOLATION IS A NO GO

I repeat, do not isolate yourself. This is what S.A.D. thrives in. It is a good idea to have people who can hold you accountable to leave your house and socialise/interact. Being around people can not only uplift you but can help you to forget the weather. Who doesn't enjoy being around good company and having fun?! Another thing i'd add is discuss (in a protected space with people you trust and have your best interest) your S.A.D. Discussion is more healthy than yo can imagine. Telling someone this is how I feel, these are my usual habits, I need help here is what you can do to help. This conversation can impact your experience greatly, and in doing so you may find you are not alone. Lets defeat the 'stigma' around mental health through normalising discussion.

3. VIT D + LIGHT BOX

Research has shown that Vitamin D helps regulate our moods therefore reducing the symptoms of depression. It has many other benefits such as strong and healthy muscles. Low levels of Vit D can also lead to lower sleep efficiency which can affect your mood especially when there is a change in weather. You can purchase Vit D supplements in Superdrug, Boots or your local pharmacy.

The light box via light therapy ---> https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/treatment/
is known to help us get that sunlight our bodies need which combats S.A.D. Please find on link above to explore.

4. EXERCISE!

Now I don't know about you but regardless of the scientific factors exercising makes you feel proud that you made the decision to care about your health more!

When we exercise our body releases toxins and serotonin known as the happy hormone is produced and can of course improve your mood.

5. DO YOU RESEARCH. How do we learn about things like S.A.D if we are not actively going to find this information to help us. Accountability plays a huge part in bettering our mental health, so do yourself a kind thing and look into areas you need help! .