HEALTH + WELLNESS
SPOTLIGHT ON ...
Seasonal SADness
SAD ( SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ) IS A CONDITION MOST PREVALENT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS AND IS CHARACTERISED BY FEELINGS OF DEPRESSION OR LOW MOOD OFTEN PAIRED UP WITH REDUCED ENERGY LEVELS , TIREDNESS , INCREASED APPETITE AND A LACK OF CONCENTRATION . THE ‘ WINTER BLUES ’ AS WE ’ VE MORE FAMILIARLY COME TO KNOW IT , IS THOUGHT TO AFFECT AROUND TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK ( INCLUDING CHILDREN ) AND MORE THAN 12 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS NORTHERN EUROPE , AND IS CAUSED BY SEASONAL CHANGES DURING AUTUMN AND WINTER , SUCH AS FEWER HOURS OF DAYLIGHT , WHICH CAN NEGATIVELY IMPACT YOUR MOOD .
Darker , shorter days particularly can disrupt our body ’ s internal ‘ clock ’ and affect the parts of our brains that make mood-regulating hormones such as serotonin and melatonin , and while you may think the winter blues are just part and parcel of a post-Christmas slump combined with bitter weather and therefore something we should just put up with , that doesn ’ t have to be the case . As we head into the winter season , if you find yourself increasingly worried about your mental health and wellbeing during this period , it ’ s likely you are one of the many people affected by SAD , and that ’ s OK – there ’ s plenty of small but effective changes you can put in place to help you cope over the coming months .
How do you know if you have seasonal affective disorder ? The main symptoms of SAD include :
• having trouble waking up , and / or sleeping more than usual
• feeling tired and lethargic
• feeling more hungry than usual and craving stodgy and sugary carbs
• gaining weight
• finding it hard to stay connected with family and friends
• feeling anxious , irritable and experiencing a low mood
• having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• losing interest in sex
• feeling heavy , sluggish and moving slowly
• feeling helpless or having suicidal thoughts
Although the symptoms of SAD tend to alleviate once spring begins to fill the air with increased sunlight and a warmer promise of new beginnings , it isn ’ t something anyone should have to simply tolerate .
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