5 Ways To Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder and Enjoy the Colder Months

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Season changes can irritate allergy-prone individuals, especially in the colder months. It’s easy to let S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder) get you down, but there are effective ways it can be beaten long before it strikes. The Mayo Clinic describes S.A.D as a form of depression that’s related to the change of season. Now that we’re well into fall, symptoms of depression such as unusual tiredness and fatigue might crop up at the most inopportune time, like the holidays. Congestion, especially, is the worst as temperatures drop, and has been known to be an ongoing problem.

Lack of sunlight can cause vitamin D deficiency, which can be a major contributor to S.A.D. It’s important, even during those freezing cold days, to get out and get at least ten or more minutes of sunlight exposure. Whether you go outside for a walk or sit by a sunny window, either will do as long as sunlight is getting into your eyes. Being outside and walking, a simple activity, can boost your endorphins and mood instantly. Breathing in the fresh air and everything nature is the best remedy. When it’s cold, though, it’s tempting to want to stay indoors a lot, sleep in with those curtains drawn, and be in warm darkness. But that’ll work against you, so it’s wise to do the opposite in order to get used to those temperature fluctuations and adjust your body to these transitions.

If you want to beat S.A.D this fall and winter, try out these five tips below for a smoother journey through these season changes.

1. Taking daily nature walks is the most effective way to get that vitamin D. Nature walks can also be a type of meditation depending on how in tune you are with your surroundings. Being outdoors, though, can be tough in the cold, but taking some time, like ten minutes, will keep everything well in sync.
2. Keep those curtains open and greet your mornings with the sun. Rising with the sun is the surefire way to regulate your circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a physical, mental and behavioral process that regulates sleep-wake cycles on a 24-hour clock. If you go to sleep at the same time every night and allow the sun to be your alarm clock, you’ll eventually not need any clock to wake up. Plus, the evil snooze button has bee accused of intervening in an important process in the brain that determines how alert and energetic you’ll be throughout your day. You may be doubting your ability to achieve such a goal, but once you start using the sun as your alarm, you’ll notice a major difference in your energy.
3. If weather demands that you remain indoors, a lamp that resembles natural sunlight can be a great tool. L.E.D. lights that are also like natural sunlight can work well if it’s an overcast sky.
4. Also, on those days when you must stay indoors, maybe consider taking on a simple creative hobby to pass the time. Art is certainly another way you can attend to your overall mental and emotional health. Pretty much anything art-related is beneficial for the mind. Even if it’s just a puzzle or those adult coloring books, anything creative will work wonders.
5. If you feel that you’re not at all creative, video games are fantastic alternatives. I have a theory that pretty much any video game has the potential to benefit the brain in the short and long-term. They are stress-free and enjoyable, but most importantly, they can contribute to clearing your head after a stressful day and exercising specific neurons that grow the brain.
6. Lastly, find ways to balance your indoor and outdoor time. Aside from brain and mental health wellness, heart health should be taken into consideration. FitBits, for example, highlight how often you should be moving with or without heart disease. You can get affordable ones on Amazon, and you’ll be able to see how often you should be walking and exercising. In fact, it’ll motivate you to include exercise in your daily routines.