3 Ways To Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a disorder that causes people to experience depression, mood swings, insomnia, sadness and loneliness. It can be quite distressing to suffer from SAD because it is a dramatic change in your mood and personality. SAD can be difficult to cope with during the cold winter months, so be sure to follow these 3 important steps to take care of your mental health during the winter:
Stay Active
Cold air and shorter days tend to prevent us from remaining active during the daylight hours, but just because the sun is down and it is cold outside does not mean you cannot get out and get some exercise! Bundle up and stay active to prevent seasonal depression. Be sure to do things outside like taking walks and exercising regularly to prevent yourself from being cooped up inside your home.
Supplement Vitamin D
During the winter months the sun’s rays reach the Earth’s surface with less intensity and frequency, causing a deficiency in Vitamin-D. To compensate for the lack of Vitamin-D you get from the sun, consume dietary supplements that are rich in Vitamin-D. Such foods include fish, eggs, dairy, mushrooms, red meats and Vitamin-D supplements.
Socialize
When it’s cold outside it is hard to stay motivated to go out and meet up with your friends and family. Being outside is uncomfortable, and it is tempting to stay cozy indoors. A major reason why a person may suffer from SAD is because they are not seeing their loved ones as frequently as during the rest of the year. Loneliness can be detrimental to a person’s mental health, so be sure to brave the cold and keep up with social activities to prevent loneliness, boredom and depressed mood.
References
Penckofer, S., Kouba, J., Byrn, M., & Ferrans, C. E. (2010). Vitamin D and Depression: Where is all the Sunshine? Issues in Mental Health Nursing,31(6), 385-393.
Seasonal Affective Disorder. (2016, March). Retrieved December 22, 2017, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
