- If you have the winter blues, crave the carbs, and your energy level is next to none, you may be suffering from a Seasonal Affective Disorder
- The lack of sunshine from the shorter winter days is a definite culprit of SAD
- It may be chilly. However, get out in the sun. A few minutes is all that is needed for some light therapy
- Follow a healthy diet. Skip the sweets and reach for the fruits and veggies
- Take a trip to somewhere warm and sunny
There is more to the “winter blues” than some people realize. Seasonal affective disorders, or SAD, is a seasonal depression during the long winter months. This disorder affects many people who experience natural seasonal changes where they live, especially if the winter months are long and dark. Signs of seasonal affective disorder are carbohydrate cravings, loss of energy, and depression. There are a few ways to ease the symptoms of this disorder according to various experts.
1. Since a lack of light exposure is a cause for seasonal affective disorder, getting as much sunlight whenever possible is important to preventing symptoms. Even if the snow covers the ground, the days are short, and the nip in the air seems unbearable, bundle up and take a walk anyhow. Do not underestimate the strength of the winter sun. Furthermore, the intensity of light is more important than the duration of light when it comes to this type of therapy. So, you don’t need hours of outdoors. Just a short time in the sun will do.
2. Another method of therapy is from the light therapy box that intensely radiates the necessary brightness. Such a box illuminates a bright light which compares to natural outdoor brilliance. The light from this box may repress the release of melatonin and equalize the circadian rhythms. This treatment is also known as phototherapy or bright light therapy.
3. If your desk at work is far from a window, see if desk locations can be changed for a few months. If that isn’t possible, take a walk outside whenever you have a coffee or lunch break.
4. If you are looking for a snack, it is best to avoid the sweet and sugary foods. Choose snacks which will supplement your energy deficiency. A burst of energy will boost your mood as well. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good and healthy choices.
5. There are supplements which may benefit seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D for one is thought to increase serotonin levels when they are depleted from lack of light exposure. B-complex and 5-HTP are also recommended supplements. St. John’s Wort is a supplement used for treating mild to moderate depression and may be beneficial for seasonal affective disorder sufferers.
6. To remedy an energy deficiency, sparking up the metabolism by getting some regular exercise is a beneficial method of treating seasonal affective disorder. Staying fit while burning fat and calories with a daily walk or bike ride will keep the mood elevated and excess winter weight down.
7. A low fat and low carbohydrate diet is recommended for people with seasonal affective disorder. Use olive oil instead of butter. Season food with fresh herbs and spices.
8. Find a hobby which makes you feel good. Be creative, paint a picture, read a book, or choose anything which passes the hours which seem long and dreary during winter months.
9. If affordable, take a mid-winter trip to somewhere warm and sunny. Whether a few days or few weeks, the time away will break up the long season which initiates seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
10. There are support groups for sufferers of seasonal affective disorders. Search for online forums where thoughts and problems shared with others who feel the similar pains of this disorder.
I’ve lived in several different locations and this disorder thing really makes sense. It was crazy how much people’s mood would change on those cold snowy days, especially when you got closer to March. The winter would drag on and people just seemed not to care about much of anything. Plus, they complained a lot more. It’s good to read some ways to combat it.