How I Deal with SAD & Keep Thriving During the Winter
(Seasonal Affective Disorder)
6 steps to defeating your SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) this Winter
From political climate, to the actual climate, 2021 has already given us a plenty of reasons to feel completely out of sorts. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD or seasonal depression) will be another catalyst of stress and anxiety for some of us this Winter.
My own journey with SAD began my first winter in Chicago back in 2015. I was a brand-new university student who had never experienced so many consecutive dark and cloudy days, much less that amount of snow (3 feet!) Apart from being isolated in tiny 10 X 8 dorm room, the weather, and fact that I hadn’t yet built relationships with any other dorming students, I was feeling both lonely and low energy.
Warmth and sunny days had always been my “safe space” when I was out of my comfort zone and suddenly, I was left without them. This led to a brief emotional downpour followed by the make your own sunshine attitude my mother had always instilled in me. I was going to find a way to get myself out of my sadness and back in a happy place, one way or another. And by utilizing the tips I am about to share I was able to successfully do so, while scoring my first 4.0 semester of my college career!
Fight the lack of light with a natural light therapy lamp!
Image source by Bustle
Didn’t know such a thing existed? Neither did I until I did some light-seeking research. Lack of natural sunlight can affect our health in many ways. Lack of vitamin D and sunlight can cause weight gain, insomnia, as well as dysfunction in mood. But even if you can’t get access to the sun, lamps like this one, Lavish Sunlight Floorlamp, can greatly improve these symptoms by simulating light from outside on a sunny day. The odd thing is this type of light can actually trick your brain into thinking your outside, getting sun.
Light up those Summer Scented candles.
One of my favorite things to do during those long winter months at home is to awaken my olfactory system with smells that bring me energy and joy. Scents of the summer are what do this for me. These are your sand and saltwater scented candles as well as light fruity scents like watermelon and lemon. My all-time favorite has to be the this Watermelon Sugar scented candle from Etsy. (Yes, like the Harry Styles song).
Candles can’t go everywhere, but one of the iconic scents of summer can, Sunscreen!
Image Source by Small Flower
I know the idea of applying sunscreen in the winter or indoors may be bizarre to some but it’s actually quite necessary in some cases. Apart from protecting your skin from skin cancer and pre-mature aging, a dab of your favorite smelling sunscreen on your wrist and inner elbow allows you to keep the sweet smell of beach and pool days with you all day. One of my favorites is the Solar Goo sunscreen!
Make sure your staying connected to your friends and making new ones
While I am introverted by nature, I cannot minimize the importance of human relationships during a time like now, especially in the Winter. I have had some success using Bumble Bff which can be found in your Appstore. One of my favorite things to do right now is go for masked walks with new friends in an area you’re both familiar with. Just make sure someone else knows you’re going and that you walk in area that’s not totally desolate for your own safety.
Fill your apartment or home with sounds from “sunnier times”
Image Source by Apartment Therapy
Whether is falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean or your favorite song from a summer’s past, don’t forget that just because the sounds of the world around are glum, doesn’t mean you have to listen to them. I always nap to beach sounds when I get the chance, something about it lulls me into the memory of lying on the beach and listening to the sounds of the world around me.
Find the right physical wellness routine for you and challenge yourself to do it at least 4 times a week.
Be it strenuous exercise or an hour of meditation, it’s important to learn what habits are most helpful and maintainable for you. I always love a good Pilates video but have recently began to venture into the HIT dance world, emphasis on that dance part. My favorite right now is Emkfit on YouTube, she films 20-30 minute dance hits to nearly every genre of music, including your favorite musicals (Hello, Mamma Mia)
I hope these tips will stay with you as we ride out this 2021 Winter together. And remember at the end of every cold, rainy season is a warm, sunny one!