Could Seasonal Affective Disorder feel worse this year?
Shorter days can have an impact on mental health, but there are things you can do, says Prudence Wade
Everything can start to feel a bit harder than normal around this time of year. The colder weather and shorter days can greatly impact your mood – particularly if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD).
SAD is “a type of depression that is affected by seasonal changes”, explains Dr Daniel Cichi of Doctor4u ( doctor- 4- u. co. uk). “Depression can last throughout the year, but if your symptoms only appear during a particular season, you may be experiencing SAD.”
According to Dr Mark Winwood, clinical lead for mental health services at AXA Health ( axahealth. co. uk), the condition “can impact people’s mental health in different ways, depending on its severity”. He says common symptoms “include a persistent low mood and energy levels, lack of enjoyment in everyday activities, poor concentration, irritability and intense feelings of sadness that can extend to feelings of guilt and worthlessness”. On the more severe end of the spectrum, “symptoms can often include losing interest in seeing others and physical contact”, he adds.
Exactly why some people get SAD isn’t fully understood but it’s believed a number of factors might play a part, with some people being more susceptible to the effects of seasonal changes.
“The lack of natural daylight during the winter months, the dull days and early dark nights disrupt our circadian rhythm ( body clock), increase melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy, and reduces the feel- good hormone serotonin,” says Cichi. “All of this leads to feelings of depression.”
“With more people working from home and people having to isolate or shield indoors for long periods of time, this means less exposure to natural daylight. Many people are already feeling low due to the pandemic, which can coincide with seasonal depression and make those symptoms feel worse than in previous years.”
The following suggestions might help boost your mood.
Get daylight when you can
Particularly if you’re working from home and not commuting, you might find yourself missing out on the hours of daylight entirely – and this could be impacting your mood. Cichi says try to “get as much natural daylight as you can”, by taking “walks during your lunch hour” and creating “a
work space that is light and airy”.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep
“Get plenty of good quality sleep, as it’s essential for positive health and wellbeing,” advises Winwood. If you’re struggling to get a decent night’s snooze, he recommends cutting down on stimulants like alcohol and caffeine, and restricting screen time before bed.
Exercise regularly
When it’s cold and dark, doing some exercise might be the last thing you actually want to do – but you’ll feel so much better afterwards. It doesn’t have to be much – Winwood says just 20 minutes of physical activity that raises your heart rate “can make you feel more energetic and happier”.
He also recommends making exercise a part of your daily plan, as “incorporating healthy habits and routines can also give your day some structure, which is particularly important in these current times”.
Think about your diet
It’s no secret that what we eat can affect our mental and physical health. “Typically, processed foods are high in sugar and can impact your energy and mood,” says Winwood, recommending you include more healthy options in your diet.
He also says you could benefit by eating foods that support the body’s serotonin production. “These include popcorn, oatmeal, nuts, egg whites, omelettes, vegetables, fruit, peanut butter and cottage cheese,” he says.
Stay connected
“Make dates for social time with friends and family, so you have things to look forward to,” says Winwood. “Whether it’s via a phone or video call, or a socially distant catch- up ( guidelines permitting), having good connections among friends and family is a key contributor to our wellbeing and happiness.”
Seek help if you need it
If your symptoms of depression are overwhelming, it’s always advisable to speak to your GP. As well as leading an active, healthy lifestyle, Cichi says “you may also require additional treatment for this disorder. SAD may be treated in the same way as depression, either with talking therapies or medication, but one of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy."