When the winter months set in — with fewer hours of daylight and dropping temperatures — it’s not uncommon to occasionally feel a little lethargic, both physically and mentally. But for some people, that lack of energy can turn into feelings of hopelessness and despair. How do you know when what you’re feeling is more than the winter blues? If you’re asking that question it might be time to consider that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could be at play.
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that impacts 10 million Americans. To be diagnosed with SAD, you must experience symptoms of major depression during specific seasons (most often winter) for at least two years. If you are struggling to manage the disorder, you should talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. You can also try out a few of these winter wellness tips to get you back on track when the symptoms strike.
Fuel Your Brain with Supplements
Food is a crucial part of mood and productivity, for better and for worse. We’ve all experienced that mid-afternoon crash after a particularly large carb-rich lunch. Nootropic supplements can make a powerful addition to a healthy diet for an all-natural way to help your brain stay sharp and help keep worries at bay. Do your research and read reviews so you can find a supplement that focuses on mental focus, mood enhancement, and all-natural energy.
Banish Negative Energy from the Home
Since winter means more time spent indoors, it’s not uncommon for more negative energy to accumulate over time, whether it’s in the form of clutter or rising tensions among household members. Now is the perfect time to eliminate that bad energy by performing a house cleanse. Cluttering, cleaning and burning sage can all help to keep out the vibes that cause stress and put a damper on relationships with your loved ones. This can also allow more positive energy to flow into the home, reducing stress and increasing happiness.
Recharge Endorphins with Regular Exercise
Exercise does much more than trim waistlines — It can be the most powerful prescription against anxiety, depression, and stress. A regular workout routine means a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise that includes a mixture of cardio and strength training. The endorphins will keep your mood positive and level, but that’s not the only reason exercise works. The regularity of the routine will give you a commitment to look forward to. Over time, you’ll notice that you are stronger, have more energy and feel more confident. All of these results combined can really make a difference in your struggle with SAD. Bonus points if you can get outdoors and soak up some sunshine — don’t forget to take a pair of Glare Guard sunglasses with you to keep the glare out and help you focus on your workouts.
Seasonal affective disorder may take hold in the winter, but that doesn’t mean it has to take charge of your entire life. These winter wellness tips can help you manage your symptoms and alleviate emotional distress, but you should also consider talking about this serious type of depression with a friend, family member, or physician. Your happiness is worth being a priority year round. And if things start to seem hopeless, get worse, or if you are having thoughts of suicide, there are people who care and are able to help.
When you head outdoors, be sure to avoid sun and headlight glare to help you stay safe and healthy. You can find anti-glare sunglasses and polarized car visors on the Glare Guard shop.