Reducing Seasonal Depression
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is thought to come on when the days get shorter and there’s less sunlight. Dealing with this type of depression can be extremely difficult, but there are several ways to help manage your symptoms.
Light Therapy Lamp
Light therapy lamps produce white light that mimics sunlight. They’re extremely useful for those that spend lots of time indoors during the summers and when days get shorter in fall and winter.
Most of these lamps offer multiple LED and warmth settings so you can customize it to whatever feels best for you!
Vitamin D
Seasonal depression typically occurs when there’s less sunlight, which means people are more likely to suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. You can supplement this by taking Vitamin D pills. My favorite is HERE COMES THE SUN™ by Hum Nutrition.
The softgels are vegan and easier for me to take than normal pills. Plus, they have verified clean ingredients and are free from artificial colors or preservatives that could further negatively affect your mental health.
Staying Active
Exercising releases endorphins that make you feel good. Moving your body in the way that you like the most can be a huge help in relieving depression symptoms.
Even if you don’t have a gym membership or hate running, you can go on a walk around your neighborhood, do home workouts, or find a yoga studio!
Healthy Eating
Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to help improve your mental health. Meal prepping or using a meal kit service can be a huge help to make sure that you’re eating healthy even when you’re busy.
Using an app to track your intake or a water bottle with time increments can make sure that you remember to drink enough water throughout the day.
Seek External Help
If you’ve been diagnosed or think that you have SAD, it’s important to contact your doctor to create a treatment plan that may include medication or counseling.
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