Lifestyle
Seasonal Depression Is a Thing, and I Get It Every Winter
Mar
Seasonal depression is a thing. Every year, without a doubt, I feel it coming on immediately after the excitement of my December birthday and the unavoidable post-Christmas let down. It hits me hard mid-January and doesn’t let up until the warmer days of Spring when the sun finally comes out to play. It occurs at the same time every year, like clockwork. I got thrown off the first few times it happened to me but then I looked up my symptoms and now have a better understanding of why it happens thanks to blogs that talk about it. LuxeLuminous has some great articles on products that can help combat SAD so check it out if you’re like me.
SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, feels like you’ve got the winter blues. I don’t do doctors, unless I feel like I’m dying, so this is totally a self diagnosed mild case. I just know me and my body, and my body tells me it LOVES and NEEDS the sun!
Technically, when my body gets less sunlight, it leads to less serotonin and melatonin being made in my brain (which regulates sleep and mood). It throws my biological clock out of sorts.
Knowing that life slows down in the winter (and for me, freelance work included), I know what to expect. My symptoms; feeling a bit more fatigued and feeling out of sorts or off my game. I have less energy, I feel sluggish and less motivated. I have more of a need for sleep, which leads to frequent oversleeping…totally rare in my regular everyday life! However, these are some of the symptoms of depression. It can be irritating having no energy throughout the winter, especially when you have things that need to be done. However, one of my friends actually suggested that I should really consider visiting a website like togoweed.co to see if any of their products could increase my energy and reduce my depression. She said she’s used some of those products before and they made her feel much more energetic and creative. That does sound ideal, maybe I should consider doing some more research into them. I’ll also have to do some research into the additional equipment needed for the use of these herbal products like these staff picks bongs and pipes. Hopefully, something like that will help me reduce these sluggish feelings that I have in winter.
I’ve really only experienced this in my adult life. In college, the days of having double sessions during intersession (the month of January) kept my mind occupied. I didn’t think about much of anything at the time, besides basketball. But now, the gray skies, the dark winter months, the lack of Vitamin D and the short days really have an effect on me and my mood.
How to treat it?
- Travel
For me, a trip to a warmer climate does the trick. It’s that simple for me. I always come back refreshed and rejuvenated. The sun does something to me! It lifts my mood for weeks after I return home. By the time it wears off, it should be warmer and sunnier!
- Light Therapy
If you can’t get to a place with some warm sun, this is your next best option. Although I haven’t personally tried this (but plan on it), my research proves it yields high results. A sun lamp mimics the sun. It triggers a chemical change in your brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms. Set it at your desk or side table and sit in front of it for 30 minutes+.
- Exercise & Eat A Well Balanced Diet
Exercising and eating well increases energy levels. Exercise starts a biological cascade of events that result in many health benefits. It releases feel-good endorphins, you gain confidence, and it’s a coping strategy for those who feel lousy. It’s an all-natural way to fight depression.
- Vitamin D Supplement
Some people think medicine/antidepressants are the answer. For example a friend of mine has found that medication is the only way to help her feel better. That being said, antidepressants are not suitable for everyone. For example, there is research out there to suggest that tricyclic antidepressants can interact unfavorably with other types of drugs, including over-the-counter medications, street drugs, and some forms of herbal supplements. It is for this reason that some healthcare professionals will carry out a tca drug test before treating a patient. However, as for me, I don’t take medicine for anything (unless I’m on my deathbed). I would suggest taking a Vitamin D supplement instead. Everyone is different, so do what’s right for you. If you have more than a mild case of SAD, seek help from a doctor or healthcare professional.
My tattoos are fake! They’ve been provided by Ink Daze.