By Rachel D. Egan, PMHNP-BC
Many Americans have heard the term SAD, short for seasonal affective disorder. This is a clinical term that describes the low mood and increased depressive symptoms (low motivation, increased sadness, changes in sleep and appetite) that many folks experience when the weather is more dismal, the days are shorter, and we have less exposure to the sun. Sometimes people notice this only during the winter months; other folks who struggle with depression at baseline might notice their symptoms are a lot worse during the winter.
So what can be done about it? Follow a few of our tips below to smooth out these symptoms this winter.
- Have your Vitamin D level checked. Vitamin D is implicated in the serotonin pathway, which supports healthy mood, sleep and appetite. Especially in places where the winters are dark and the days are short, Vitamin D levels tend to drop as we have lower exposure to the sun. Getting your level checked and supplementing if needed is one way to take care of yourself in the winter.
- Use a sunlamp. No, not the kind that gets you tanner—there are products that can gently mimic the sun’s light and offer some of the same positive benefits, without the burn. See one of our favorite products below.
- Get moving. Even though our natural instinct might be to hibernate like grizzly bears in the winter, getting our bodies moving and blood flowing is a great way to boost mood. Walks, yoga, gentle stretching or whatever kind of movement you like is great.
If you’re really feeling stuck with your mood, reach out for professional support!
