Seasonal Affective Disorder

We’re well into Fall which, in Chicago, means cooler weather and falling leaves, but shorter days are coming. Less daylight impacts quite a few people, and you may be one of those who has Seasonal Affective Disorder. Lack of sunshine can upset your circadian rhythms and serotonin levels. You know: Blah-I-can’t-get-out-of-bed-itis. 

Common symptoms include: 

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having problems with sleeping or oversleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless
• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day

Right off the bat, I’m going to stress that if you are really struggling, please reach out to a doctor or therapist for help. 

Now, if you find you get the Winter Blues, here are some tips and tricks to help you make it through the season. It seems strange to start now, but it’s better to have a plan in place before you start suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

Things to do for your health:

• Check your vitamin D levels; adjust your intake as suggested by your primary health care provider
• Get a sun lamp
• Go to an Infrared sauna (like the one at Cornerstone Health in Evanston!)
• Eat your veggies
• Get a massage or acupuncture

Activities that can help beat those Blues:

• Exercise! Keep seeing your trainer or going to the gym
• Plan a monthly mini adventure
• Get OUTSIDE! Even when it’s cold out, there are so many benefits to getting outside in nature
• Embrace should-less days. Stay in bed all day long! 
• Aromatherapy-Bergamot, orange, lemon, clary sage and lavender
• Bring nature in. Either through plants or picking up twigs or leaves 
• Call people, text people, send up a flare 
• Make plans to see your people in person

Planning things now, like mini-adventures, getting your vitamin D checked or ordering a sun lamp, instead of later, means you have a better chance of getting them done now. It’s harder to make plans and take care of ourselves when the SAD hits. 

And, honestly, one of the best things is exercise, so keep going to the gym!