Seasonal Affective Disorder: Why you get depressed as winter approaches and how to stop it

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also commonly known as SAD, is a very real and serious mental disorder that affects 1 in every 3 people in the UK. Most people who have SAD don't even know that what they are experiencing is a legitimate form of mental illness that requires therapy. The most common symptoms of this disease include: fluctuating weight, struggle sleeping and experiencing low levels of joy and motivation.

Why do we get SAD in the winter?

This type of depression is one that is directly linked to the lack of sunlight we are deficient in during the colder months of the year. The sun emits UV rays that contain vitamin D which is essential for the release of serotonin in our bodies. So the less sunlight we consume, the fewer our levels of serotonin will be in our bodies.

According to Dr. Laura Rhodes-Levin, licensed marriage and family therapist, when we are darker environments, our brains release melatonin to help us feel drowsy and fall asleep:

When experienced regularly, this drowsiness either contributes to the depression or is interpreted as depression.

Essentially, too much darkness confuses the brain into over producing melatonin that causes adverse effects on our mental health.

How to stop SAD this winter

In autumn and winter, the days are short and to fight the cold, we change our habits. We spend more time indoors, so we mechanically receive less sunlight!

This lack of light is thought to be the source of the famous SAD. The solution is simple: spend more time outdoors, when it's light out. As we all know, it's cold and we're tired, so the atmosphere is not conducive to going out, but the Royal College of Psychiatrists' recommendation remains the same:

Continue the exercise you do regularly, and if possible outside, to expose yourself to daylight.

If it's not possible to go outdoors or take part in physical activity, you can also opt for light therapy by exposing yourself to broad-spectrum light from a machine. Other advice: eat foods containing vitamin D to avoid deficiencies and, more simply... remember that SAD is only temporary!

That little drop in energy you're feeling is completely normal, and in any case, spring isn't really that far away!

This article has been adapted from Gentside France

Read more:

⋙ Seasonal depression: The most common symptoms and how to cope with them

⋙ Depressed? Astrology has pinpointed the zodiac signs who are more likely to suffer from depression

⋙ Here's why you should always cover your nose when it's cold outside

Source:

NHS: Overview - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Royal College of Psychiatrists: Trouble Affectif Saisonnier