Winter And Seasonal Affective Disorder
Depression
The Christmas season can be a difficult time for many people. It may feel as though every one else’s joy is a sledge hammer. You are not alone if your depression seems to come knocking every winter. Some people get more depressed in winter and if that sounds like you, Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, is the diagnosis that might fit your symptoms. The longest night of the year comes just before Christmas on either December 21st or 22nd.
If you suffer with depression, you might wonder how it is possible that other people don’t experience the same misery. Everyone has some kind of challenge in their life. Yours is to dance with depression. It is not always easy being a human. So, what are you going to do about it? If you experience depression and you are reading this, you have already begun doing something. Here’s a mantra for you, “Well, what am I going to do about it?” Ask a better question. Our brains are like computers and when we ask ourselves a question, our brain starts whirring in the background searching for an answer. We don’t even know it is going on, and while we are grocery shopping, our brains are humming along to solving the question, what am I going to do about it? what am I going to do about it? Ask a better question. If you ask, why am I always depressed every winter? Your brain goes along trying to prove you are correct, “I always have depression every winter…” and looks for proof. Your brain is on your side, trying to show evidence that your thoughts are true. But YOU do not have to believe every thought you have.
And when you ask, “what am I going to do about it,” your brain goes humming along trying to find an answer to that question. Imagine yourself standing next to young 5 year old you . Look at this one and say, “I see you are depressed, very sad, and I’m an adult. I don’t know how, but I am going to figure out how to solve this problem.” and really send love, compassion, and curiosity to little you, this one who feels so sad.
One idea to try in winter, is to be sure you see more sunlight. If you work in a room with no window, you need to get outside. Full spectrum lights and plants can help, but not as well as light from the real sun, even if it is defused by thick clouds, it has a healing power. It won’t be long until the sun shines in your window to wake you up. In the mean time, I invite you to take a few steps to see the sun. If you work in an office with windows, hold the thought that the sun light is a natural spirit lifter.
A psychiatrist I know had a list for her patients with depression and it included;
Get out in the sunshine
Get more exercise
Drink more water
Connect with friends
A few other ideas would include;
keep a regular sleep schedule
and get enough of it
make a gratitude list
compare yourself to others who have worse problems than you have
get out of your head by doing something for someone else
Purchase a full spectrum light or simply turn on all the lights in the room
Ask for help
Finding a counselor to talk with can be very helpful. Just having someone who can be present for you and listen to your story is a wonderful way to support your journey to more happy winters to come. You do not have to suffer.
For more information see Depression Treatment
