Top Tips For How To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder

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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out top tips for how to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) now the dark and cold nights are drawing in fast.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

According to the NHS, SAD, or the ‘winter blues’, affects around 2 million people in the UK. It is a seasonal depression that usually occurs during daylight savings times, and while the exact cause is not fully known, it has been linked to reduced exposure to sunlight.

With the dark nights drawing in fast, and I find myself getting up in the dark and going to bed in the dark, I thought now was the time to start learning how to ease the impact of SAD for both myself and for my family. To help me out, the wellbeing experts at beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha send over a list of seven tips that can help you manage SAD symptoms this winter season.

Symptoms Of Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you think you have SAD, especially if you are finding it difficult to cope in the winter months, it’s always a good idea to talk to a GP and see if there’s anything they can do to help. SAD has been linked to the following symptoms:

• Consistent low mood 
• Irritability 
• Anxiety 
• Feeling unsociable 
• Tiredness and fatigue, even with a full nights of rest 
• Oversleeping 
• Hunger, cravings for ‘comfort’ foods – those high in carbohydrates and sugars 
• Weight gain  
• Decreased sex drive  

Top Tips For How To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder

Incorporate aromatherapy into your morning or bedtime routine 

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to help promote well-being. Though this is not a treatment, aromatherapy can be a therapeutic and holistic option to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and generally make you feel good. The best way to start aromatherapy at home is by using a diffuser that disperses scented vapour into the atmosphere.  

Scents can elicit specific emotions and memories, making you feel better, so finding a scent that makes you feel good or reminds you of a fun or fond memory is best.  

Try adding an aromatherapy diffuser to your morning or night-time routine. Lemon or peppermint essential oils are great for the morning and can create an uplifting atmosphere. Lavender essential oils are great if you are having trouble sleeping, as this can help increase melatonin production. Other essential oils such as ylang-ylang, orange and clary sage also help decrease anxiety and can be used at any time of day.   

Keep a diary or journal 

Keeping a diary is a great tool that can highlight any patterns and SAD symptoms you are experiencing. Using a notepad or even your notes app on your phone, note down key moments of your day that you think are affecting you. This can help you understand what makes you feel better or worse and creates a sense of mindfulness.   

Increase your Vitamin D and light exposure intake  

Less sunlight exposure and time spent outdoors in the winter months can result in a lack of vitamin D, a primary cause of SAD, as vitamin deficiency is associated with depressive symptoms. Vitamin D supplements are great to take during the winter months, though if in doubt, consult your GP.  

Other natural ways to increase vitamin D are by incorporating mushrooms, egg yolks, and yoghurt into your meals, as these are naturally high in the vitamin. However, light exposure outdoors is the quickest way to increase vitamin D levels. Try keeping curtains open and allow natural light and UV rays to penetrate windows or increase your time outside. 

Those with SAD frequently use light therapy through the use of a ‘Light Box’, which works by simulating sunlight. It helps reduce the production of melatonin, which can make you sleepy and is often used in the mornings to help you wake up and get out of bed. These are inexpensive and are a great tool to implement into your morning routine.  

Include tryptophan and protein-rich foods in your diet 

The colder months call for more comfort food, as eating what you crave can reduce stress hormones. Although this can make you feel good, it can have a negative long-term affect if you are not consuming a healthy, balanced diet.   

When experiencing SAD, it can be beneficial to consume foods high in the amino acid Tryptophan. Studies have suggested that there is a direct link between this amino acid and the production of serotonin, the hormone related to happiness, memory, sexual desire and sleep. Tryptophan-rich foods include salmon, chicken and turkey. Vegetarian and vegan sources include pumpkin seeds, tofu (and other soya-based foods) and spinach.   

Finally, your gut biome is also directly linked to the production of serotonin, and poor gut health is linked to depression and hormone imbalances. It is important to ensure you include enough water, fruits, vegetables, and fibre in your diet to maintain gut health. Challenge yourself to have at least five to seven fruits and vegetables a day.   

Ensure you’re doing 75 minutes or 3 x 25-minute exercises a week  

Physical exercise is essential for all adults and should be done every week. This does not mean high-intensity workouts; it can be moderate to light activity that can help get your blood pumping. This can even significantly reduce the chance of a stroke or heart disease.    

According to the NHS, adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate to light physical activity a week; this equates to 21 minutes of exercise daily.    

That said, a more vigorous exercise routine is better as this can release the neurotransmitter dopamine, more commonly known as the ‘happy hormone’. A minimum of 75 minutes of vigorous/high-intensity exercise should be done per week, and this can be broken down into three 25-minute exercises. This is recommended, as this can naturally alleviate your SAD symptoms, and if you do this outdoors, you can also increase your vitamin D intake.    

Introduce more greenery in your living spaces through houseplants 

Surprisingly, plants can help create a calm, peaceful environment that alleviates anxiety.   

Some species of plants can help purify the air around you; plants such as Chrysanthemums, Monstera plants and Elgergrass plants are great to keep in bedrooms or living rooms and can remove indoor pollutants. This clean, fresh air helps raise oxygen levels in your brain and can impact your serotonin levels.

Furthermore, caring for plants is a common practice for those who want to improve their mental health, and successfully caring for a plant in the winter months can create a feeling of accomplishment and well-being.  

Meal prep for the winter months 

Being prepared, especially if you know you suffer from SAD, can reduce the impact of symptoms severely. If your symptoms follow a pattern, you will be able to know when they start and can get ahead of them.   

One way you could prepare is by cooking and freezing meals in advance for when you have little to no energy; this ensures you have a balanced and healthy meal ready without effort. It also works out more cost-effectively, as batch cooking is cheaper, and you will always have a meal prepared, so you can avoid ordering an unhealthy takeaway.   

Meal prepping is one way to prepare for the winter months, but preparing for other things, such as events or social gatherings, in advance is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. You can also plan for some spare time, where you do not have activities planned, but have a day to yourself where you can recuperate or re-arrange stressful activities or events for a later date.

Conclusion

Hopefully by following the advice we can all get through the darkness of the Winter in the healthiest and happiest way possible, and enjoy the opportunities to snuggle under blankets and light candles.

If you have any tips for how to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder that have worked for you, let me know!