'Tis the season to be jolly?! Unfortunately, not for everyone.
For most people who experience anxiety or depression, the feeling of mood changes is all too familiar. We go through incremental periods where we feel down or just don't feel like ourselves. Although this may feel very familiar, sometimes these mood changes occur when the seasons change, or when the days begin to get shorter, or have less daylight hours outside. If you notice this occurring, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, which is a type of depression. Seasonal affective disorder often starts in the late fall/early winter and subside in the spring/summer months.
If you are coping with depression, and feel that you may also be experiencing symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, there are many strategies that you can employ to help you. For starters, please know that you are not alone. There are millions of people who know exactly what you are feeling. The next thing that is very important for you to remember is that there are ways to cope with what you are feeling (that can give you some much-needed relief).
Be mindful of what you are putting in your body - During the winter months, you may want to consider adjusting your diet. Due to the lack of sunlight, our bodies become deficient in Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin! You also want to eat a diet rich in protein, B vitamins, and simple carbs. Vitamin B is essential in boosting your energy, which can be a challenge during colder months.
Next, take a walk to lift your mood. What?! A walk during the cold months?! If the temperatures haven't gotten too cold outside, do yourself a favor and talk a stroll outside. However, if it's a tad bit cold where you are, and you have the ability to exercise indoors, get your steps in however you can! What matters most is that your body is able to move and get some exercise. Let's be real, for those of us who have mental health challenges, exercise is often the last thing we want to do! But, regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression and anxiety. When exercising, your body also releases feel-good endorphins, takes your mind off of your worries, and reduces your stress levels.
Light therapy is another effective coping strategy for seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy is a way to be exposed to artificial light using a light therapy box. It is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to both mood and sleep. You may hear light therapy be referred to as phototherapy. Although light therapy is an option, you should still aim to get as much natural light as you can, even if it is just opening your window to let the daylight in!
There are so many ways that we can offset the affects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, that there is no way we could fit it all into one post! If you try all of the things listed here and still feel like you need more help, please reach out to the proper professionals for support. Cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressants may be necessary to help you cope. Whatever you do, please remember that you are not alone, and you are way stronger than your anxiety and depression! You can do this, and we are here to remind you of that every step of the way!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At Mon Amie's Mental Wellness Solution, our mission is to improve mental health literacy and reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions. We provide on-demand digital training and in-person wellness training during workshops, conferences, and keynote speaking.
We also create inspirational designs and wellness merchandise that is a positive daily reminder to people worldwide.
Mon Amie’s Mental Wellness Solutions does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
It can be very challenging if you're a parent supporting a child with a mental illness, but you can do it. Place your expectations aside, and ask your child what they need you to do to support them or make them feel better. You also don't want to always make yourself a part of the solution; otherwise, your child/teen will grow a dependence on you. Create a balance between what you do for them and what you teach them how to do for themselves.
Are you a busy professional, entrepreneur, parent, caregiver, or student who often feels irritable, exhausted, unmotivated, and burnt out because you constantly try to balance work and your personal life?
Do you feel that there is never enough time to do anything for yourself between your responsibilities at work, school, and home?
Let's take a look at a few self-care activities can you do, even those who are extremely busy, that will help you breathe a sigh of relief:
