5 Helpful Ways To Combat This Year's Seasonal Depression

Fall is here and winter is not so far behind. And that also means snow, and more gloomy weather. With all that comes seasonal depression. Something that many people struggle with during this holiday season. Right when daylight savings time ends it gets darker quicker. The weather becomes a bit more darker and gloomy. This can take a bit of a toll on our mental health during this time. As well as other external factors (family drama, holiday season stress, financial struggles, etc.) As someone who struggles with depression, this time of the year can have my depression come on a bit stronger.

So, what is seasonal depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is 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.

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
Tiredness or low energy

The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. ( Resource to this information: mayoclinic.org)

The big thing to note about SAD is to not brush it off as just being “winter blues” or seasonal funk. You shouldn’t have to tough it out on your own. Or push it down to not deal with it. There are plenty of healthy ways to help you through this tough time of the year.

5 Ways To Combat Seasonal Depression

1. Prioritize Social Activities

Often times we’d rather isolate ourselves. Not burden others with our problems. Or be the Debby Downer in the group. But that will actually make your depression worse. Studies have found a budding relationship between depression and low social activity in a person’s life. Especially in recent years, with Covid-19. Most people are stuck inside. being social doesn’t just have to be going out with friends. Facetime people. Set up little computer dates. Join online support groups. Anything that can have you interacting with other people. Especially, if you’re on social media. Hoarding yourself inside can really just hurt you in the long run.

2. Take your vitamins!

As much as it can be tedious to remember. Taking your daily vitamins can help with depression. Vitamin D has proven to hep with the affects of depression. And over time, helps combat it. An important chemical that really helps with depression is one called Glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant that is produced and found in every cell of our body. It is body’s master antioxidant and chief cell protector against free radicals and oxidative stress. Lately, I’ve been trying to put my health first. And I’ve found that when I stuck to my daily vitamins, my mood & energy was better.

Fun Fact: Glutathione supports serotonin & dopamine, two chemicals aiding in positive emotions in our brain. Recently, I’ve been taking the Cellgevity vitamins twice a day. And I’ve seen a huge difference in my mental health and my overall health. So, take your vitamins! You’d be surprised at how much it helps. Click the link below to learn more about Glutathione and the Cellgevity vitamins I use daily.

3. Do some aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health. Personally, I have the essential oils from my shop in my room. Using a few drops in the shower. And having a small oil diffuser in my room on my nightstand. Due to my insomnia, I have trouble falling asleep most nights. So I use Lavender essential oil in my diffuser to help me fall asleep. Eucalyptus oil has proven to help with reducing stress and clearing up congested noses.

4. Ease your mind & give it a outlet

Journal, write, play music in your home, paint. The list can go on and on. The worst of going through seasonal depression is not having the ability to always speak what’s on your mind. Personally, I never like to burden people with my problems 24/7. So, I took up journaling. Having a space that I created to let myself just let out what’s on my mind. It really has helped me these past few years. It doesn’t even have to be all organized and aesthetic looking. Just grab a notebook, put a date, and start writing what you’re feeling. You’ll find that it’s like venting to a friend.

Creative outlets are known to have the best relief when it comes to intense emotions. Maybe you’re not in to writing. Pick up a new hobby! Something that gets your mind to focus on something other than what is causing you to be depressed.

5. Meditation

Recently, I’ve added mediation to my daily routine. Making sure I start my day with a clear mind and clear energy. Something about it just lets me have a calm start to my day. Daily meditation can help you perform better at work! Research found that meditation helps increase your focus and attention and improves your ability to multitask. Meditation helps clear our minds and focus on the present moment – which gives you a huge productivity boost. I use this app called MyLife to do my daily meditations. They have different types, ones about gratitude, learning to love your body, and different breathing techniques. Depression can have our minds feeling foggy. Draining us of our energy. If you find yourself overthinking too much, try some guided meditation.

THANK YOU FOR READING !

I know that seasonal depression can be difficult to go through. Not having the motivation to get up. Wanting to sleep all day and all night. Withdrawing socially. Just know that you’re not alone in dealing with this. Take it day by day. If things persistent to get worse or you need more help. Always talk to your doctor. Know that therapy and antidepressants are always an option. Remember, 2021 is almost over!

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5 Helpful Ways To Combat This Year’s Seasonal Depression