Tips for Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder

Managing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is something that applies to half a million people in the U.S. 

The cause of seasonal depression is unknown, but the lack of sunlight triggers the onset of SAD, and 10-20% of sufferers feel milder symptoms. Children and teens can suffer from this as well, while older adults are less likely to experience seasonal depression.

There are things you can do to assuage the symptoms of SAD by taking a proactive approach.

You’ll find several suggestions of things you can do to lessen those unwanted winter blues.

Be social

Normally I would suggest filling your calendar with lots of events to go do with friends but, under this COVID-19 era, I would say book zoom calls with friends and family. Not the ideal way to socialize, but considering our options and the safety measures we need to abide by, this is the best option for now. Once we’re able to physically meet with our loved ones, I highly suggest making plans to do fun activities as often as possible.

Learn something new

There are so many options for picking up a new skill nowadays. Subscribe to Skillshare, Masterclass, or Udemy to refine your skillset or pick up a new skill. These platforms typically offer a free trial period that you can use to check out some of their courses.

Be active

There’s nothing better for managing SAD than moving your body and taking in all those endorphins to make you feel good. Workout at home or at the gym. Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking about how much time you need to dedicate to the gym. Start off with going one to two days a week for 30 minutes each day. Slowly increase your time at the gym.

Get outside

If you’re not much of a gym lover, you can still get a good workout by stepping outside and go for a walk or adding more resistance by hitting the hiking trail. Getting outside and absorbing what nature has to offer will help lessen the seasonal blues.

Aromatherapy

There’s some evidence that suggests aromatherapy helps lift your mood and relieves symptoms of depression. This can be big for managing SAD. Essential oils like sandalwood, jasmine, bergamot, and lavender are known to lift your spirits. Use a diffuser to spread the scent within a room or add some essential oil drops into a warm bubble bath to promote relaxation. Essential oils are an inexpensive way to boost your mood while taking in these pleasant aromas.

Try out your green thumb

Caring for plants is not only going to provide you with clean air, but it will give you a sense of purpose. Learning how to take care of plants and watching them thrive under your care will bring you a sense of satisfaction and bring tranquility to your life.

Create a routine that will allow you to add these suggestions to your life to help you combat seasonal depression. It will make the time go by faster and it’ll also bring happiness to your life so you can get through those tough months.

Create a routine that will allow you to add these suggestions to your life to help you in managing seasonal affective disorder. It will make the time go by faster and it’ll also bring happiness to your life so you can get through those tough months.