How the change in season can affect your mood
For most, with winter comes cosy blankets, hot water bottles, hearty stews and warm soups. For others, it can also bring the blues. In fact, in sunlight-starved countries like Sweden, as many as 20 per cent of the population count themselves as sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression brought on by gloomy weather.
So, what are the signs you might be a sufferer? Here’s everything you need to know.
1. You feel down – The irony of Seasonal Affective Disorder being shortened to “SAD” is not lost on us. Actually, it’s a pretty accurate description of how the condition makes you feel. If you’ve ever dealt with depression before, the signs will come as no surprise – lower light levels lead to lower serotonin levels which lead to the blues.
2. You’re tired all the time – Less daylight hours means you’re likely becoming sleepier sooner each day and finding it harder to shake that tired feeling. This is because the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin is produced much more during darker months, leaving you wanting to stay in bed all day long.
3. You’re stress out and anxious – Being tired all the time makes you less productive, and thus leaves you feeling stressed out that you didn’t get all your tasks and chores done. Unfortunately, it’s all a vicious cycle – stress and anxiety make SAD worse, which makes you even more stressed and anxious.
4. You’d rather be alone – Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, we all need some quality socialisation on a regular basis. But when you’re suffering from SAD, it can feel like the last thing you want to do. A lack of energy and motivation leaves you withdrawing from loved ones, cancelling plans and isolating yourself at home.
5. You’re suffering brain fog – Can’t seem to focus on even something as meaningless as a TV show? Chances are you’ve got “brain fog”. Everything you try to cross off your to-do list will seem difficult, and you won’t be at your peak when it comes to productivity or creativity.
If this sounds like you, you may be suffering SAD. Thankfully, the condition is treatable. If you can’t wait for it to go away on its own, visit your doctor to chat about your management options. Light therapy and melatonin supplements are just a couple of remedies they may suggest.
Have you ever experienced SAD before? How did you overcome it? Share your experience with us in the comments below.