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It's Just SAD...
- Heidi McLain
- Nov 18, 2019
- 2 min read
Now that the warmth of summer has disappeared do you find yourself wanting to crawl into bed and just stay there? Do you feel unmotivated to go out and do the things you traditionally enjoy? Believe it or not you may just be sad...or rather have S.A.D.
S.A.D. stands for seasonal affective disorder. It typically begins in the fall and lasts throughout the winter months.
Symptoms include:
Feeling blue or depressed several days during the week for weeks at a time
Having interrupted or poor sleep, however most experience oversleeping
Feeling fatigued
Losing interest in activities you typically enjoy
Lack of focus
Either feeling an increase or decrease in appetite
Experiencing increased negative thoughts, feeling worthless, or guilt
There are three main reasons why SAD occurs. The first is that a change in season can affect your body’s production and maintenance of melatonin. Melatonin is what keeps the body’s sleep patterns in check.
The second is that serotonin levels may have dropped due to lack of sun exposure. A drop in serotonin levels typically leads to depression.
A few things you can do to naturally boost your melatonin and serotonin levels include taking a natural vitamin B6 supplement, eat foods rich in vitamin B6 (pork, eggs, peanuts, fish, etc.) and/or take Mentabiotics by Amare Global (it’s a prebiotics, phytobiotic and probiotic in one product) that naturally builds serotonin and dopamine in the digestive tract.
And the third is that your circadian rhythm is disrupted again due to the lack of sunlight.
If you think you may be experiencing SAD symptoms, reach out to your physician and/or mental health professional who can do lab tests and or a psychological evaluation. If they confirm a diagnosis of sad typically prescription medication will be prescribed, along with counseling, and light therapy.
A great life coach can also help you utilize the Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping), help change mindsets that keep you going to a negative or dark place, and help you focus on what you’re passionate about keeping you motivated during these SAD months.
As always there are additional lifestyle choices you can make to boost your mood during these dark months. You can get outside and go for a walk, hike, or just spend time appreciating nature. You can increase plants and change your light bulbs to natural or a brighter light to lift your mood. You can also diffuse pure essential oils that increase energy and boost mood like Doterra’s Lemon, Bergamot, Peppermint, or Wild Orange Essential Oils.
Just remember you’re not alone and there are solutions out there for you to keep you from wanting to pull the covers over your head all winter long.
Reach out today for the support you need.
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