During the winter months, there are so many of us coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Those who have been diagnosed or been through this realize exactly what is going on but there are a lot of people who don’t understand what SAD is and how to cope with it.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common type of depression related to the change in the seasons, mostly in the winter months. It begins and ends about the same time each year and usually you’ll notice it around the time change in November.
You feel sapped of your energy, more tired than usual, irritable, have trouble focusing for any length of time and just “blah” about life in general.
I deal with this change every year around late October. I’m not a fan of winter – if you know me then you know I’m a summertime person who loves the warm weather and long sunny days. Winter is hard on me especially when you throw in snow and ice-covered streets. Some days, my bones feel ache-y and just plain ol’ weary.
It’s perfectly normal to have days when you feel a bit down in the dumps. Everyone has those days. For the most part, it’s nothing to worry about because you can usually pull yourself out of it in a short period of time. When you can’t pull yourself out of the dumps, please talk to your medical professional.
Don’t let it get so out of hand that it affects everything in your life.
It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between SAD and other types of depression because many of the symptoms are the same. To diagnose SAD, your doctor will ask if:
- You have been depressed during the same season and have gotten better when the seasons changed for at least 2 years in a row.
- You have symptoms that often occur with SAD, such as being very hungry (especially craving carbohydrates), gaining weight, and sleeping more than usual.
- A close relative-a parent, brother, or sister-has had SAD.
If you are concerned that you might be dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder, talk to your doctor about ruling out conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as an under-performing thyroid. You definitely don’t want to mess around with that!
What To Do For Winter Depression
If you know you’re prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, there’s things you can do to help your situation. I keep the lights a bit brighter during the evening time and turn them on around 4:30 PM before it really gets dark.
Light therapy for depression is very helpful – Verilux offers a nice selection of light therapy and full spectrum lights. Their explanation of what the lights accomplish is excellent:
Verilux light boxes mimic daylight by providing full spectrum light without the harmful UV rays. Full spectrum, or natural light, provides important signals to the body to help you relax, focus, and feel revitalized.
You can also simulate the rising sun in the morning with a clock made especially for this purpose. Amazon.com carries a nice selection – just so you know – these are NOT an affiliate links. If you prefer, simply go to your favorite search engine and type in SAD alarm clock.
The other thing that I do is use an essential oil blend to diffuse in my work and home space. This helps to balance and boost your emotions and your immune system during the long winter months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Blend*
- 40 drops Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
- 35 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 15 drops Neroli (Citrus aurantium)
- 20 drops Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
- 15 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Combine in a 10 mL bottle and keep tightly capped when not in use. Add 8 – 10 drops to your cold mist diffuser and use daily as needed.
If you don;t have all of these oils on hand, I sell this blend for $19.99 for a 10 mL bottle. To purchase, click on Custom Blends in the aromatherapy shop and type in SAD Blend in the notes and I’ll take it from there.
This combination of essential oils helps lift your mood, helps you to focus and be present in the moment and boost your immune system. It’s important that you talk to your doctor about this. Don’t try to deal with this alone!
Please do begin diffusing the essential oil blend and use the light therapy. And get the help of a medical professional to ensure you get the proper care.
Please let me know what questions you have; I would love to talk with you about your needs and concerns. You can email me directly at balance (a) scentedbalance (dot) com or fill out this contact form.
As always, I am very grateful you chose to stop by.
PS – The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. *Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Please see a qualified medical professional for any and all health issues.