SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

I’m writing this post sat outside in the sun after having such a lovely, slow Sunday, outside in the sunshine. We started the day off by wandering into town and getting a coffee, sitting out in warm morning sun. Then headed to Trelissick for a walk with the pup, meeting lots of lovely dogs and their owners. After our walk we sat and talked about how everyone seems so much happier in the sunshine, why is this? I did a bit of research and read about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder - a mood disorder subset in which people who have ‘normal’ mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. It is much more apparent and severe during the winter.

The symptoms -

• Persistent low mood

• Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness

• A loss of interest in normal, everyday activities

• Sleeping for longer than normal

• Lethargic

• Gaining of weight

• Unmotivated

Why can you get SAD?

The reasoning is not fully known, however, it has been often linked to the shorter autumn and winter days. It is thought that the lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain, the hypothalamus, from working properly.

The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many important functions, including: releasing hormones, maintaining daily physiological cycles, regulating body temperature, controlling appetite, managing of sexual behaviour and regulating emotional responses.

Doctors believe that the production of melatonin becomes higher, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy, and the production of serotonin becomes lower, which affects your appetite and mood.

How to help/stop from getting SAD?

A few ways to reduce the possibility of getting Seasonal Affective Disorder -

• Exercising regularly - Joining a running group, the gym, a dance class, going to yoga classes or just practicing yoga at home.

• Managing stress levels - I know sometimes it is not possible to reduce the amount of stress we have to experience, but sometimes we can avoid stressful situations and people.

• Get as much natural sunlight as possible - This can be hard, especially if you’re working a 9-5 indoor/office job and you aren’t able to see the sunlight as its dark on your way to and from work, however, try and go on a brisk walk during your lunch break or make sure to get outside on your weekends/days off.

• Vitamin tablets - Vitamins are essential nutrients, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C, that your body needs in small amounts to work properly. Sometimes during the darker months we cant get the vitamins we need, such as Vitamin D, which can be made by the body in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Taking Vitamin tablets ensures you can get those essential Vitamins to help your body and therefore your mind.

Get outside as much as possible and appreciate the lovely world we live in. Get exercising, not only for your physical health but for your mental health. Enjoy your life as much as possible, grab hold of every opportunity that arises and be thankful (always) for all you have.

A positive mindset creates a positive life.