Are you one of the many people out there that doesn’t like winter? You know who you are. Spring, summer, and fall you are out there enjoying your life, but come winter, well you are like a bear getting ready to hibernate. If you feel tired and moody, it’s not all in your head and it’s not just you. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is from the Mayo Clinic’s website:
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the “winter blues” or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own – you may have seasonal affective disorder.
What causes seasonal affective disorder? Seasonal affective disorder seems to develop from inadequate bright light during the winter months. Researchers have found that bright light changes the chemicals in the brain. Exactly how this occurs and the details of its effects are still being studied. While those specific mechanisms remain undetermined, factors like low vitamin D levels in the blood are found to be associated with a higher occurrence of seasonal affective disorder and some other depressive disorders. You might want to try and find solutions to your seasonal affective disorder, or other depressive disorders you may suffer from. Those that suffer from such disorders could try many solutions to manage their mental health, such as gaining the help of a mental health professional, looking at various medicine prescriptions, as well as alternative medicines such as herbal remedies or even looking into medical cannabis and the various derivatives from the marijuana plant, such as looking at cbd oil online. There is no one confirmed cemented way to better your mental stability, you have to find what will work you personally. As people change, they might even find their different coping mechanisms and solutions may also change.
“Great,” you’re thinking, “now I have a disorder.” I’m not saying anything that you haven’t already heard of, but why am I saying it? Because you can do something about it. The Mayo Clinic also says:
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. Addressing the problem can help you keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.
That’s no fun now is it? But look at one of their other suggestions:
Take a trip. If possible, take winter vacations in sunny, warm locations if you have winter seasonal affective disorder.
As someone who does suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, I do try to get away in the winter and it has helped considerably. Instead of feeling miserable because of grey skies or an abundance of snow on the ground, I try to get away to somewhere warm and tropical. Plus, knowing that medication like wellbutrin xl is out there for people who suffer from SAD is something positive to think about.
That boost of sunshine to your system will make you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the remaining days of winter. Believe me, you’re family will thank you.
Don’t tough out the remaining days of Winter on your own. There are great weekend packages to the Bahamas, short 3- and 4-day Bahamas cruises, or even 7-day cruises to various destinations in the Bahamas and the prices are too good to pass up. If you wanted to get away for less than $500/per person you can and you can go somewhere and get completely pampered for a little more. You’re family is going to plan that vacation if you don’t because you are making them miserable. Get away for a few days at least and see how great you feel.
I too have SAD and it reared it’s ugly head once we returned from our Florida vacation in August. Last year we went to Florida for Thanksgiving and after that I was feeling much better for almost a year. I’m wondering if I can get a doctors note excusing our kids from school because of my SAD. That would be awesome! 😉
Neula – I feel that way, too, but I wonder if it is because we had such a mild winter last year. The temps dropped just a little starting in September and I was feeling it. I am dreading snow and even colder weather. You can take a chance on the doctor’s note or maybe homeschool the kids? LOL
Sun deprivation leads to SAD. It’s well known that northern countries are rich in suicides for this very reason – lack of sun.
I’ve found some methods to cope with SAD suitable for me. Want to share:
SAD