S.A.D.

Why Am I So SAD?

Do you notice that your mood lowers during this time of year? Are you feeling down and have no motivation to do the daily tasks that you are used to doing? Is your mood matching the gloomy weather and making you feel a bit sad? Well good news, you are not alone and there are plenty of ways to support this common experience!

S.A.D. stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is classified as a type of depression that is affected by the season changes. The main symptoms are low mood, feeling down or depressed and having little to no motivation to complete tasks. But along with this, other symptoms can be present including having low energy, sleeping too much, overeating and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are specifically experienced during the gloomy months, beginning in the fall and continuing throughout all of the winter months.

What Can I Do To Not Feel SAD Anymore?

As discussed in my previous blog post about Vitamin D, there is a connection between this condition and your levels of Vitamin D within your body. Considering Vitamin D has a key role in mood regulation, it is very important to maintain optimal levels especially throughout the winter months to support symptoms of S.A.D. Consult a professional on how to get your levels tested and how to supplement properly with Vitamin D.

There is also other methods to support yourself throughout the gloomy months when you are experiencing S.A.D. Some other treatments include psychotherapy to ensure that you have someone to talk to about your feelings and emotions or using light therapy such as a HappyLight to promote Vitamin D synthesis in your body, helping to improve mood and energy. It is also important to maintain a good support system/social circle, be surrounded by nature, keep your body moving and fuelling yourself properly with nutritious foods. Even though it may be hard with less activities to engage in outside and less motivation, make sure to take care of yourself and allow others to help you.

You are not alone if you suffer from S.A.D. Reach out to seek support. If you are experiencing these symptoms year round, it is important to speak to your health care provider for options to support your mood and health overall.