Seasonal Depression
Geographically affects the Northern and Mid Mountain, Pacific, Central, and Eastern parts of the United States.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or “ Winter Blues ”is defined as a depressed mood most of the day, or nearly every day for a two-week period or longer. This disorder is usually diagnosed and observed around late fall and winter. Due to frequent cold and gray days and, getting dark earlier. Symptoms are common to major depressive disorder. Feeling sad, empty, tearful, loss of interest, low sex drive, weight loss due to poor appetite, weight gain due to overeating, fatigue, isolation, and even frequent thoughts of suicide.
As late fall turns to winter, it is common for people to feel more depressed. This can be attributed to the change in daylight. The intensity and length of sunlight. Our diets, our routines, and how we spend our time. It is common for people to feel tired, unmotivated, and hopeless. The serotonin levels in your brain drop due to less sunlight. This impacts your mood. Often bringing on more feelings of sadness.
Self-Care and Meditation
Focusing and embracing the moment
Ignoring your self-care can increase symptoms of depression. When you look good, you feel good. Stay productive, eat healthy, read more, engage in hobbies, and travel to push through the winter blues.
Giving Back To The Community
Giving back to the homeless can be uplifting. Be mindful that it’s always someone worse off than you. This helps us to appreciate what we have. Instead of focusing on what we don't have.
Gift giving, smiling, hearing thank you, being generous, and making someone else feel happy boosts your happiness, especially when personalizing the gift.
Physical Activity
Exercising produces endorphins " feel good "chemicals. Increase blood flow to the brain reducing stress. At least 15 minutes of walking or engaging in strength training workouts can boost your mood. After 30 minutes, your body is officially in the fat-burning mode so keep going! Strive for 1 hour of any physical activity.
Pet Companion
Pets, especially dogs and cats can reduce depression and anxiety. Animals can decrease the cortisol " stress hormone" in your body. Pets minimize the feeling of loneliness. Playfulness helps us to become active. Rubbing the texture of their skin reduces your anxiety.
Enjoying Outdoor Activities
Rather it's sledding, hanging around a Bonfire, building a snowman, or ice skating. Outdoor activities have been linked to decreasing stress. Putting your mind at ease promoting relaxation, and increasing productivity and creativity. (Please consider COVID- 19 safety precautions).
Light Therapy
Light therapy has been proven to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep. The light should mimic natural outdoor lighting. 10,000lux for 30 minutes has proven to be beneficial. The Theralite AuraBright Light Therapy Lamp used for sunlight deprivation is recommended.
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