How to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
I have suffered from seasonal affective disorder for many years now. I have probably suffered most of my adult life but only really started to deal with it last with constructive solutions that made me feel better. It starts to kick in as the evenings draw in from October time and can last all the way to March. A long period of time to manage. Making it more important to find ways to improve and remove the symptoms.
Many solutions are test and learn where I invest in some things and work out of they make a difference. I also listen to other people who experience the same thing as me. So many others have been through what I go through and have their own solutions. I thought I would share some of the best solutions that exist.
May your winters be sunny and positive and happy!
Vitamin D3
Emma from emmadrew.info suggested some strong Vitamin D3 tablets. She has been taking these for a year now and finds them super helpful. The key to taking supplements is to get a high dosage of vitamin D and these on Amazon are good. 3000 strength and tiny in size too. I have been taking them for around two weeks, I take a pill before bedtime and they are helping a lot.
Mindfulness
Sarah from A Mundane Life practices some mindfulness. She uses an app called Headspace which really helps her to clear her head and setting up for the day.
Having a Shower
Cora from the Mini Millionaire finds having a shower effective. ‘It’s like I’m washing the bad away and leaves me feeling super refreshed’
A Lumie Light
Laurie from Girl and Tonic uses a lumie to align with wake up and bed times, so the light wakes her up and puts her to sleep, she finds it helps to adapt her body clock. She also gets outside in the light as soon as she can for a walk to get what little sunlight there is.
Nutritional guidance
Jenna from The bloglancer says to eat plenty of oily fats-fish, avocado, flaxseeds. These will help boost your vitamin D and omega 3 levels-both of which can make a real difference to SAD.
Outdoor Activities
Emma from the Money Whisperer suggests moving to Australia!! She suffered terribly from SAD before going and unsurprisingly didn’t whilst there! Since returning to the UK she hasn’t suffered anywhere near as badly. She thinks it’s because she does lots of outdoor things with the children every day which keeps up sunlight exposure.
Exercise
Eileen from Your Money Sorted says ‘As a PE teacher, I always advocate exercise as a cure for everything! Although it can be difficult to get started, it will be worthwhile. Start with something as simple as a walk in the fresh air, and build it up to running or cycling once you are ready to work a bit harder. The endorphins released when exercising will trigger a positive feeling in your body and that, combined with the fresh air and light, is sure to make you feel better’
Open the curtains
Hollie from Thrifty Mum recommends opening the curtains first thing or better still, sleep with them open and wake to natural light. She bought a car that had a panoramic roof and the increase in natural light on a morning drive works wonders.
Winter Sun
Kat from katbyles.com suggests winter sun. Make sure you have a December, Jan or Feb spell in the tropics. It has changed her life by allowing that additional energy in during the winter months, now her winter base is in Antigua running business retreats for women in December and March.
Chocolate Cake
Kelly from Reduced Grub recommends Chocolate cake and a cup of tea being a must at least once a week and should be written in everyone’s planners in RED CAPITAL Letters!
Early Morning Sunshine and Talking
Early morning sunlight is the best for resetting your body clock, make sure to get as much as possible. Try a SAD lamp you can hire them first to try since they are quite expensive. You can also change your household light bulbs to day light ones. Be extra kind to yourself, change your routine or schedule to allow for limited effectiveness that SAD might cause. Remember no matter how bad it gets it will pass as soon as Spring comes. Remember to talk to others about how your feeling. www.mymoneyspot.com
Walking as a Family
Michelle from Time and Pence recommends getting outdoors! Up the hills and along the coastal paths. She loves walking as a family, it’s fun, free and great for your wellbeing! Make it fun for the kids along the way, play games, collect things and it becomes a family day out. No reason not to do it in the winter months. Wrap up, take a flask and you’ll feel great after
Light Therapy
Annalise from The Frugal Frenchie says being around any light source in general can help. Therefore, just sitting and working by a bright lamp or having light-coloured walls can make a difference. If not, have a go at light therapy, it’s essentially that but using more specialised light sources like lasers or full spectrum lights. http://thefrugalfrenchie.co.uk/
A fake Beach
Helen from Not your Normal Health blog wrote about an actual room people can go to that creates a fake beach. She absolutely loved it.
Green Tea containing Vitamin D
A new discovery that I wanted to include was a product from Tetley. Their tetley super green tea sunshine is available at Tesco £1.79 for 20 bags. A lovely citrus tea that it very refreshing and a perfect drink for the morning.
There are so many great ideas in here that can help you with your seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Please do let me know if there is anything else you find a great solution?
5 Responses
Sometimes I feel the opposite of this. I grew up in Michigan but now live in Texas, where it’s hot and intensely sunny half the year. By July, I’m a mess– don’t want to leave the house, lethargic, irritable. Almost like SAD?
Lynn, living in Michigan in the winter months are dreadful for me. Lack of sunlight, so I can totally relate. I keep my Vit D going all year (which has helped immensely!) I also get out, fresh air, no matter how cold it is and this helps as well. I allow myself to take power naps in the winter as well. I feel this helps me fight off colds and such. I also schedule projects and lunches to get me moving.
I don’t suffer from SAD, but I have a childhood friend who does. She uses a daylight lamp. She also spends lots of time outdoors as much as possible. I like Kelly’s tip: chocolate cake! 😉 I’m sure coping is difficult, and I wish you well on your October-March journey. Hugs!