The time change has occurred. It gets dark at 5pm. The temperature makes it hurt to be outside. The holidays are over. Now, the winter blues have really kicked in. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or also known as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that happens once the seasons start to change and most likely occurs starting from fall through the winter months.
SAD occurs “due to the reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter months, which may affect an individual’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that impacts mood,” (Cool, 2016).
Some symptoms of SAD include:
-Depressed mood
-Lack of motivation
-Trouble sleeping
-Loss of energy
-Suicidal Ideation
The importance of understanding SAD and the impacts it has is imperative, especially if someone does not typically struggle with depression. The goal is to manage the symptoms that you are experiencing in order to stay on top of your mental health during the winter months.
If you are struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, here are a few tips that can help:
-Go outside and get some sunlight.
-Exercise to increase the serotonin and endorphins in your brain.
-Keep your normal routine.
-Be social and make plans
Cool, Jeannie. (2016). Mental Health & Addiction Recovery.
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