Just as you prepare your home, your car, and your closet for the winter season, it’s a good time to evaluate your mental health and make a plan for the season. Many people may struggle when the time changes and early darkness sets in. According to Mental Health America, seasonal depression—also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—is a subtype of depression or bipolar disorder that typically occurs in the winter months.
The first time a person experiences SAD, they may feel depression start to lift when spring arrives. Recognizing that pattern makes it predictable and can help with prevention or reduction.
Signs and Symptoms of SAD
SAD has many of the same signs and symptoms as major depression. What to watch for:
- Depressed mood.
- Appetite changes.
- Changes in sleeping pattern.
- Fatigue and lethargy.
- Feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
The exact causes of SAD are unclear. But many theories point to reduced daylight hours and limited exposure to sunlight. Your body’s internal clock gets disrupted and leaves you with less energy. Your body may produce too much of the brain hormone melatonin, and leave you feeling drowsy.
Taking Positive Steps to Prevent SAD
For those struggling with anxiety and depression year-round, SAD can pose a risk to their mental health. It’s important to have a toolbox to draw from and be prepared to get through the winter. As with other types of depression, it’s important to reach out to family and friends and let them provide support. It’s always important to reach out to mental health professionals when you are experiencing difficulties. What works for one person may not work for another, so knowing what lifts your spirits is key here.
The Benefits of Sunlight
As many of us are preparing for our first winter in a pandemic, we don’t know what to expect. But we should take into account that as darker, shorter days roll into the frame, so will the potential for SAD.
Getting a short walk outside in the natural light makes SAD a little easier. Even sitting by a window or driving around outside during the daylight hours may help.
If we are already feeling some hopelessness after many months of confinement, it’s going to be a significant challenge this year. Knowing what to look out for always helps, and making a plan of action before winter arrives is the best approach.
Be Proactive About Your Mental Health!
Seasonal Affective Disorder may be especially difficult this year. Many people are already struggling with mental health symptoms because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the fears of rising Covid-19 cases. We know winter is coming, so let’s be proactive and put healthy habits into place that can get us through this difficult time.
