SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a form of depression. It is a valid issue that requires attention and guidance. Though it has clinical evidence of being seasonal and temporary, SAD incites feelings of permanence and hopelessness in individuals. It may also culminate in mainstream depression and related mental health issues. Threats to mental health and […]
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a form of depression. It is a valid issue that requires attention and guidance. Though it has clinical evidence of being seasonal and temporary, SAD incites feelings of permanence and hopelessness in individuals. It may also culminate in mainstream depression and related mental health issues.
Threats to mental health and negligence should never go hand in hand.
“So, how does one cope with SAD?”
Try communicating with people you trust. If you are unsure about your mental state or attempting to distract yourself, it is okay to let them know. If the season of winter is coming, remember that the pack survives better than the lone wolf
SAD has chances of affecting your appetite but it is essential to give your body the right nutrition. Furnish your daily diet with proteins, vitamins, and fiber. Dark chocolate is always a great way to uplift your mood. Your body deserves kindness.
Go on walks, be around a pet, maintain a journal, or maybe just coexist with somebody you like. Art can also be therapeutic, and so can prioritising your welfare.
Light boxes can help overcome winter blues. If the bleak winter months start becoming a little less bearable, light therapy can be of assistance. Here, the person is exposed to a required and safe amount of light. It is essential to make sure that you are under medical supervision of a specialist who is aware of all of your medical conditions, this is done to avoid preventable side effects.
At times, getting through an everyday routine can take a toll on an individual. It is perfectly alright to not look forward to the next day. Go by your instincts and do not demand too much of yourself. Shower yourself with kindness, for you deserve it.
It is never too late (or too early) to seek professional help. There is no particular level of severity that declares you “eligible” to seek clinical help. Mental health is relative, and reaching out to a therapist for seasonal depression is taking a step in the right direction.
Your emotions and your struggles are never too much. There is light in every direction, in spite of how it may look from a point of struggle.
Writer: Annie Iniya J
