Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – What is it and How Do You Relieve Symptoms?

While many of us struggle as the weather starts to turn for the worse. We just want to stay indoors, hiding from the cold weather. For some others, the colder, darker seasons can bring on more severe symptoms like low mood, lethargy, irritability and sometimes the inability to even get out of bed.

These symptoms can be the signs of a form of depression – Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Experts have not pinpointed one exact cause for SAD, but many think a contributing factor could be lowered levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a ‘feel good’ hormone and when daylight hours drop, so do your serotonin levels.

What to Do If You Have SAD Symptoms?

If you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder, take steps to improve your mood and activity levels. Don’t think you have to go through it alone – talk to friends and get the support from your doctor if you need. Here are some recommended ways to relieve SAD symptoms.

• Take a vitamin D health supplement. Research has linked SAD to low levels of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin). And studies have also shown that taking daily vitamin D supplements significantly improved SAD symptoms
• Get a light therapy box. SAD symptoms mostly occur in the darker, winter months. Light therapy boxes mimic the light and warmth you’d get from the sun’s rays. It’s recommended to sit in front of your light box for 30 minutes a day to help suppress melatonin release and increase the production of serotonin
• Try aromatherapy. Add a few drops of aromatherapy oil to your bath to help you relax. Essential oils may help to improve mood and regulate the bodies internal clock
• Increase exercise levels. As with many ailments, exercise may help relieve SAD symptoms. Try getting outside if possible for a walk or a run. Alternately, a workout in the gym or at home will also help improve mood and offset weight gain
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Seasonal affective order causes some sufferers to have trouble sleeping or to get up in the morning. Try sticking to a regular bedtime schedule and time that you wake up. This will help you get exposed to what minimal light there is and help keep your body in a rhythm