&
Mind
Wellbeing
Beat the winter blues
F
or many of us, this isn’t exactly the most
wonderful time of the year. One or two
people out of every hundred are touched
by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — and
5-6% suffer its more severe form: Winter De-
pression. That’s a lot of people fighting this
annual battle.
SAD typically begins with autumn’s drop in
temperature, and it continues right through to
spring. You could easily overlook the symptoms
of SAD — thinking, for example, you’re just
feeling demotivated by yucky weather — but
SAD must be taken seriously.
For mild sufferers, it’s a quality-of-life issue.
For severe sufferers, who may even toy with
suicidal thoughts, treating SAD can be a matter
of life and death. So let’s talk about it.
Are you experiencing these symptoms?
• Losing interest in activities
• Feeling depressed much of the day
• Problems sleeping or oversleeping
• Feeling sluggish
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Getting agitated easily
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Thinking about death or suicide
Wondering why you’re feeling like this?
Several factors are suspected. The limited sun-
light messes with our biological clock, sending
mixed messages about when to be sleepy or
wakeful. Reduced sunlight can cause a dip in
levels of serotonin (a brain chemical that affects
mood) and melatonin (which affects sleep and
mood) too.
So what can you do about it?
Get Help. If it feels serious, see a doctor
right away. Treatment plans and medications
are available.
Light Therapy. Start your day sitting by a
high-quality phototherapy ‘light box’, which
emits bright light similar to the natural
outdoor light.
Exercise Regularly. Exercise offers countless
benefits, and it won’t let you down here. Work-
outs relieve anxiety and stress and leave you
feeling better about yourself in general.
Be Social. When you’re feeling down, avoiding
people comes naturally. Push yourself to have
regular interaction with friends, family or even
strangers at the supermarket.
Get Outside. Sunshine may be limited, but
getting outside exposes you to vital natural
light and the invigoration of open spaces and
fresh air.
And remember: you’re not alone and this will
pass. Sunnier days are just around the corner.
ISSUE #06 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 9