6 Tips to Cope with Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, is a form of depression that occurs during the same season each year, usually in the fall and winter months. When you suffer from seasonal depression, you may experience a range of symptoms like low energy, fatigue, sadness, hopelessness, and changes in appetite. This can cause you to lose some of the quality of your life. Many people simply accept this as the winter blues, but they do not need to live this way. These are a few ways that you can do to help with your seasonal depression.
Get Natural Light
Natural light is essential for regulating your body’s circadian rhythm, which can be disrupted by the shorter days and longer nights of the fall and winter months. Try to spend as much time outdoors as possible during the day, and if possible, sit near windows at home or work to get as much natural light as you can. When you live in Florida, you can grab some sunshine by lying outside for a few hours or taking a walk along the beach.
Exercise Often
Regular physical activity can help boost your mood and energy levels and can also improve your sleep quality. Create a fitness routine that is easy to implement into your daily life and stick to it. Each day, strive to move your body. This can include taking a walk, stretching, going to a yoga class or doing a workout video.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help keep your energy levels up, which can help to boost your mood. When you battle depressive thoughts, do not just reach for junk food or fast food. Instead, try to eat healthily by stocking your fridge with nutritious items that are easy to grab even when you are feeling down.
Learn Stress-Relief Techniques
can worsen symptoms of your seasonal depression, so it is important to find ways to reduce stress in your life. This can include practices such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. If you work a stressful job, be sure that you set boundaries to not get burnt out. Leave work at work on the days when you are feeling overwhelmed with your emotions.
Lean on Your Friends and Family
Talking to friends and family members about how you are feeling can help you feel less alone and can also provide you with a source of support and encouragement. When you are feeling lonely or you need to get out of your house, you want to have a few people to call to motivate you to do something fun.
Consider Working with a Counselor in Orlando
When you feel these negative effects on your life for a while, you should consider working with a therapist to learn coping strategies. Seasonal depression can be treated with talk therapy and other methods that counselors can identify. As you learn more about how you feel, you can recognize your triggers and learn how to cope in a healthy way.