SAD: When the weather and winter get you down
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
It’s also called seasonal depression. Throughout the year, our mood and energy naturally increase and decrease. Less sun and colder temperatures have great impacts on most people’s energy levels. However, some people experience deeper lows than average during the colder months.
Symptoms
One is that you have noticed a fairly consistent pattern regarding your mood and energy. Most cases of SAD mark a decrease in mood and energy during late fall or early winter that then increase or return to normal around late spring and early summer. Two, you are noticing significant difficulties around sleep. Getting to sleep or getting out of bed. Sleeping more or sleeping less. Three, you are noticing an overall shift in your thoughts and feelings. Less feelings of hope or positive-outlooks. Overall, the symptoms are pretty similar to those of depression. However, the big difference is that these symptoms greatly reduce, if not disappear, for a majority of the year.
What we know about SAD and how can to manage it
I have three tips that I have found to be most helpful for my clients and myself to manage SAD.
light therapy
There are a myriad of lamps that can simulate sunlight and encourage your body to produce neurochemicals like serotonin or help your body intake more Vitamin D.
Supplements
Vitamin D, B Vitamins, and Omega-3s can help in reducing the symptoms of SAD.
Movement
Movement of any kind can help facilitate endorphins and neurochemicals that help regulate mood. You don’t have to exercise but find creative ways to move and keep active.
Even if you don’t think you have SAD, these tips are great for anyone wanting to keep their energy up during these natural downswings our bodies go through.
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Other Therapy Services At Sharp Wellness
At Sharp Wellness, our therapists understand you and your partner may have more going on than just relationship issues. Our therapists offer a variety of therapy services to support you and your partner. We have a location in Birmingham, AL, and Mckinney, TX so that you can get the help you need close to home. Our therapy services include: Individual Counseling, Therapy for Teens and Adolescents, Couples and Marriage Counseling, Therapy for Trauma, Family Counseling, LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy, EDMR Therapy, Therapy for Anxiety, and Group Therapy. We also offer Couple's Intensives at our Mckinney, TX location.