Let's Clear Things Up!

Let’s clear things up!

I would like everyone to know that if you have seasonal affective disorder…this does NOT mean you are depressed. I would like to take this time to explain the difference.

Seasonal depression is when a person experiences some symptoms of depression during the winter months. These symptoms may include difficulty concentrating, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, and/or insomnia. The main difference is that someone with depression experiences serious symptoms through out the whole year. Someone with seasonal depression (SAD) most likely feels perfectly happy during the spring and summer months, but falls back into a depression when the cold, gloomy weather rolls in.

Most readers of my blog may not be diagnosed with SAD or depression, but just have the winter blues (which is not diagnosed and what I consider a less serious/more casual form of SAD). I am hoping that my blog posts will apply to and help you whether you are diagnosed with anything or not!

So, as you have learned from my previous post SAD can be caused by the lack of sunlight we receive in a day. Without receiving sunlight our bodies fail to produce the hormones we need to feel awake and alert. When your body doesn't receive these signals from the sun it can result in feeling tired and moody. So between the consecutive cloudy days that makes it impossible to expose our selves to natural sunlight and our hectic days that leave us stuck in class or the library, how are we suppose to over come this? The answer...a light box. It's drug free and can replace the same benefits that sunlight provides. This daylight replication is inexpensive and only needs to be used for about thirty minutes per day (recommended to be used in the morning). All you do is plug it in and sit in front of it and allow the  bright shining light to work its magic.

Do It Yourself

 For someone who is personally not in favor of taking medication, I try to look for as many other remedies as possible to help myself, uplift my spirits, and surround myself with positivity. You would be surprised how many little helpful things there are that you can do to help boost your mood. Here are just a few things you can try to help you through your wintertime misery.

1. The wintertime is associated with colors of sadness; blues, greys, white. Colors that just make you think “blah” when you’re around them. Get yourself out of this environment. Brighten up your room with brighter colors, buy yourself a new bright yellow lap top case, or consider buying a couch cover with a fun color!

2.  Buy yourself some flowers and plants to put around your house. With most of the trees and flowers bare outside, it will be a nice treat to have in your home and fill the air with a fresh scent reminding you of spring time.

3.   Get plenty of exercise! Although getting yourself to go to the gym might be a challenge, you will feel like a million bucks once you’re there. You will leave the gym feeling accomplished and proud.

4. Don’t let the snow keep you cooped up in the house all day. Get some friends together, bundle up, and find a place to go sledding or play games outdoors. Not only is this also exercising, but also a great way to keep busy, be social, and surround your self with friends.

55. Watch what you eat. Believe it or not, foods can play a pretty important role in determining your mood. Try to eat food that is in high in Vitamin D, as it increases serotonin levels (which is basically the ‘happy chemical’ in your brain).

Hey guys! So, for my first blog post I found a great picture that provides quick and simply information about SAD. When you read through this picture you will learn facts about SAD, why people may experience it, and a few symptoms and treatments of SAD. I hope this helps and kick starts your urge to beating the winter blues!