Hey Beauties, how are you holding up?
Are you holding on or just barely surviving? These last few months have been a very challenging time for so many, myself included. We’re all living through a pandemic. If you’re in the U.S., we live through some challenging situations with social issues, including race, and we’re going through a presidential election.
All these challenges can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and depression. On top of that, we have entered daylight savings. This season means that days will get shorter, colder, and darker causing many to experience seasonal depression known medically as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Based on a Mayo Clinic article, seasonal depression is the change in mood based on seasonal changes. The signs and symptoms of this are closely related signs of general depression; however, they seem to affect those during the fall/winter months when the weather is colder and days are shorter and darker. Some of the signs include:
- loss of interest in activities that are was once enjoyable
- loss of appetite or increased appetite
- feeling depressed
- feeling a loss of energy
How to cope with SAD?
I have found that these tips below have helped me get out of this rut that the colder months can bring along.
Exercise
One of the most useful things that I have found to help me deal with this is getting back into my exercise routine. There are many physical benefits associated with exercising but so rarely that we talk about the psychological benefits.
- Regular exercise helps to release endorphins, which gives a mood booster to decrease the feeling of depression.
- The physical benefits can help increase one’s self-esteem and boost confidence. People work out because of wanting to achieve a physical goal. And with continued discipline, results are more visible.
- Another great benefit of exercising is a brain boost. Exercising helps the brain create new brain cells, strengthening memory, and giving a boost of inspiration. So, if you are ever in a rut, some exercise can help inspire you and get those creative juices flowing again.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is known as light therapy, is the use of lightboxes that give off light that mimics natural daylight.
- The use of light boxes mimics natural outdoor lighting; researchers believe that this type of light change causes a chemical change in the brain that can raise one’s mood.
Fresh Flowers & Plants
There may not be scientific facts on this, but I find that having fresh flowers and some greenery help boost my mood. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they can help enhance the look of one’s space and eliminate pollutants in the air, making one feel healthier and happier. With flowers and plants not blooming in the colder months, having some indoor plants can be a great way to get some greenery sights of nature into one’s living space. Plants like a spider plant, snake plant, and philodendron are a few indoor plants that are good for removing formaldehyde and purifying the air.
- With the benefit of air purification that plants give, this can be great for one’s focus, which is a challenge for many that deal with seasonal depression.
- Fresh flowers can give one a boost of happiness, mental clarity, and memory. I particularly like to have some white roses.
Unplug and enjoy the sights of nature.
Let’s face it; many of us are now confined to our homes due to the current pandemic. Time with friends and family has shifted to video chats, and when that isn’t possible, social media becomes a source to pass the time. But ever go online and realize that you’ve been scrolling for hours on end and neglect other tasks. Well, that’s because we are being fed with dopamine while scrolling through social media. Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter which releases a sense of pleasure in our brains. This means that being on social media and finding things that we like, receiving likes and comments release pleasure and make us feel good. This can become an issue when too much time is spent online; instead of dealing with the real world. We can start to perceive what we see online as reality when it isn’t. We may see our favorite content creators or people we know live happy, luxurious lives seemingly, but that’s only because, as humans, we like to see and share the happy moments we don’t necessarily want to show the ugly side of things. The converse is valid for the news. Bad news will mostly be shared, affecting one’s mental state, being inundated with negative information.
This is why it’s crucial to unplug and do social media detoxes frequently and focus on things that have low dopamine effects. Fall is a great time to do so, especially in colder climates. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold, and depending on where you live, seeing the fall foliage can be very memorable.
I’ve been spending my weekends going apple picking, hiking, and even enjoying the first snowfall!
Seek Professional Help
Finally, if you feel that you are dealing with more than just seasonal depression and everything you’ve tried haven’t helped, please seek professional help. We often think that we can do it all and solve all our issues, but we are human and will never have all the answers. And remember asking for help shows a significant level of strength, not a weakness.
If you aren’t sure where to get help, try calling your insurance company, they can give you a list of providers in your network. You can also visit sites like Psychology Today and find a therapist in your local area.
As always live your life happily, healthily, and beautifully.
*Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional; please seek the advice of a mental health professional or qualified health provider. These tips are based on my own opinion and what works for me.
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