Feeling SAD?

As I changed my clocks to fall back recently, I became aware of the shortening days and the decline of daylight. This shift in light and temperature can have substantial effects on one’s psyche. Some may have dracular-like tendencies to hibernate, isolate and feast, while others feel refreshed and revitalized by the crisp dark air, and then there are also people who are prone to seasonal affective disorder; SAD.

To help treat SAD naturally, try :

• Make your environment sunnier and brighter. Open blinds, trim tree branches that block sunlight or add skylights to your home. Sit closer to bright windows while at home or in the office.
• Get outside. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise and other types of physical activity help relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase SAD symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood.
• Go on a trip. Budget to fly somewhere sunny and warm before symptoms are too overwhelming. 
• Seek professional help when you need some extra guidance and a boost towards out of the darkness and into the light.  

The Mayo Clinic defines SAD as  “a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. Treatment for SAD may includes light therapy (phototherapy), medications and psychotherapy.”

To read more about this and find out how to alleviate its symptoms check out this article.