We have all seen the imagines of the dark cloud hanging over a sad person. It’s common in our language and symbolism to associate happiness with sunlight and sadness with grey clouds and dark skies. Interestingly, we are on to something scientific with these pictures. Namely: Seasonal Affective Disorder. A large array of research over the years has shown that with decreased sunlight and cooler weather, our moods tend to take a dive. Seasonal Affective Disorder reflects the experience of these feelings in a manner that is considered to be strongly above the norm. Meaning that individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder tend to experience symptoms similar to clinical depression during the wintertime. However, you don’t have to have Seasonal Affective Disorder to feel the emotional effect of the loss of sunlight. Luckily, there are strategies for both individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder and those with a case of the winter blues to help increase mood.
First, natural sunlight tends to be the best medicine. And what better way than to try to take a walk in nature during the day. This could be the perfect excuse to step outside during your lunch break or get in that exercise that you’ve been waiting to take. Getting some sunlight, even if it’s very little, can help make positive changes in mood that will make the trip outside worth it. An added bonus is that spending time outside increases our likelihood of having a social interaction. Social interactions help boost our moods and have a positive effect on our wellbeing.
Another suggestion is to make sure you are eating well. When we are feeling down, we might feel prone to eat foods that we know are not good for us. This could lead us to feel worse and deprive us of vitamins that our brain is craving.
If you have tried all of these steps and are still feeling down, or finding it hard to even summon the energy to try to feel better at all, you might want to consult with your doctor or therapist to see what next steps should be taken. Sometimes, psychotropic medications are recommended in these cases. Other times, the help of having a therapist to talk with can make all the difference.