It’s nearly the end of October, the days are getting shorter, 
the temperature is getting lower and the amount of clothes we have to wear is getting greater… winter is definitely upon us. But, the wintery days soon become dreaded and unwanted. We become tired, grumpy and may as well hibernate for all the good winter brings to us. However fear not, the terrible depressing feeling we get during the dark winter months has a name – Seasonal Affective Disorder a.k.a. SAD.
SAD or “Winter depression” is considered a mood disorder, which can affect up to one in three of us and mostly, goes undiagnosed. But why do we get it? Why does the change between Autumn to Winter have such an impact on our mood? Well, it comes as no shock that the human body craves light. Light increases serotonin levels, brain activity and decreases melatonin levels (which makes us sleep). The lack of light lessens our mood, willingness to socialize and work and increases our need and desire to eat. SAD can be associated with minor symptoms such as fatigue, larger appetite and lower effort levels, however it can also result in more severe symptoms such as anxiety disorder, alcohol/drug abuse and in some severe cases has resulted in suicide.
So what can you do to prevent the symptoms of winter depression? Firstly, there are a few different ways to avoid SAD in the first place. Eating healthily with plenty of foods from different nutrition groups, alongside avoiding carbohydrates and increasing intake of B vitamins and protein will increase energy levels and minimize fatigue during the day, battling the potential effects of SAD. By partnering healthy eating with exercise, the body becomes more alert rather than sluggish and lethargic, helping to maintain both social and work obligations. However, make sure you balance work and social life accordingly, high levels of stress amplify the symptoms of SAD. Most importantly of all, take advantage of natural light. Staying in bed in the morning hoping to feel better won’t help, by getting up and going outside the body will positively respond, minimizing the effect of SAD.
For some, self help techniques won’t cure nor curtail the emotions winter depression creates, therefore, doctors have advised feasible courses of treatment for potential sufferers. Here, individuals are firstly advised to invest in bright lamps specifically made to enhance serotonin levels in the body. Bright light therapy is one of the most successful treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder, ranging from a general high voltage light bulb to a specific dawn light, which mimics a sunrise within your bedroom. Bright light therapy retains the brains activity level that is created during the summer months. However, bright light therapy isn’t cheap – SAD lights on Amazon come to about £50 for medically certified lamps. But for your health and mood in the winter months, investing in a SAD light is definitely a worthwhile spend.
Winter brings many different problems, the common cold, tonsillitis and the dreaded man flu. But SAD is one of the most common conditions during the winter season. With regular treatment, SAD is believed to be able to cure two out of every three individuals, with one out of three patients having minimal recurring symptoms long term. If you think you have symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder it is definitely worth a trip to the doctor to treat the condition. And with winter just around the corner (snow in October?!) make sure you stock up on SAD light bulbs, vitamins as well as fruit, vegetables and protein. When the dreaded cold finally arrives, remember that before you know it, Spring will be here and the Michelin Man style of Winter will be in the past. Until then, wrap up, keep warm and carry on!