You may be experiencing SAD. It’s easy to find yourself feeling a little down, tired, and moody during these winter days. You can easily brush off that you’re feeling tired, irritable, or just down and attribute it to just that, tired and drained.
How Do You Know If It’s More?
What is SAD?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.
Mayo Clinic
It’s amazing how much we need the sun and beautiful weather to not only improve our mental but emotional, physical, and even spiritual states. And when you’re not being fed the happiness that comes with sunshine and bright days it takes a toll.
The following is Dr. Teralyn Sell’s article on common signs of SAD.
We’ve been getting some absolutely crazy weather this winter, especially in the snow and cold temperature department. After about the third day of straight cloudiness, I think we all can say we start to feel ourselves have little to no energy for anything. For some, at worst this can actually turn into a mental health crisis, so let’s look at the signs before one sets in.
Dr. Teralyn Sell, Psychotherapist and brain health expert, shares 5 common mental health (SAD) signs to look out for, even though we’re now transitioning into spring.
Sign #1: Irritability
Irritability or crabbiness is likely one of the most common, yet overlooked signs of seasonal affective issues. This sign is probably more common in men and can look like negativity and general unhappiness. That’s not to say that women don’t experience this. If you are feeling irritable, think about getting more exercise and more sunlight. Perhaps getting a SAD lamp could be on your list.
Sign #2: Depressed mood
If you are feeling sad, down, or otherwise in a ‘funk’ you might be experiencing a depressed mood due to the winter months. You might cry or tear up easily or just feel like hunkering down with very little motivation to do anything. Make sure you are eating nutritious foods that help stabilize your blood sugar and improve your brain health, especially during the winter months.
Sign #3: Problems sleeping
The changes in light and the inability to get outside can impact our sleep-wake cycle. Perhaps you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, either way, an interruption in sleep could be a sign that you are seasonally depressed. Make sure you work on your sleep patterns and put those electronics down before bed.
Sign #4: Pulling away from people
If you begin to prefer isolation over connection, you might have seasonal depression. It is very easy to isolate in the winter months, especially if you live where it is colder. Instead, make some plans with friends. If you work from home, make it a conscious effort to leave the house one or two times a week just to get out.
Sign #5: Your thoughts go to dark places
If you have negative thoughts about ending your life or not waking up in the morning this is a warning sign to get help immediately. If you are in danger please tell someone or head to your local emergency room.
Are you feeling down and out these winter/spring days? How are you coping with the winter blues?
I wish you peace and guidance on your journey. Take care and be well.
