Winter is not usually the favorite season for many people, and while we can feel alive and rejuvenated in the spring and summer, often winter can make us suffer from a general feeling of unhappiness. The inability to do some of the things that we did during the summer can cause a sense of boredom. While these winter blues are fairly common, there are also those who suffer from a clinical depression related to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

SAD is still not completely understood, but it’s believed to be related to the shorter periods of sunlight during the fall and winter months. Some people are just generally more sensitive to light, and if you’re predisposed to depression, you’ll have a higher likelihood of suffering from SAD. There have even been some suggestions in regards to ions in the air which are different in the spring than winter. Research points to these ions playing a factor in the development of SAD.

Light box therapy has been quite effective for those who have more severe cases of SAD. The person needs to sit in front of a source of bright light for at least 30 minutes every day. Generally, this method will be tried before resorting to prescription drugs.
While it may be necessary to seek medical attention, and try methods like light box therapy if you’re suffering from SAD, if it’s just a more mild case of the winter blues, there are other ways for you to try lifting your spirits.

Remain Active

• Walking is one of the best things you can do to reduce symptoms of any kind of winter blues. Getting outside in the sunlight is the most effective way, but if it’s just too cold, you can use a treadmill or something else you can do in front of a window. Does your local mall have skylights? You can be walking in the sunlight, but without the cold.
• Get out of the house, and do any kind of winter activity. Don’t let cabin fever get you down – take a lesson from the kids. They can always find something to do when they are outside, and the fact that they are staying active keeps them from feeling cold. Go ice skating, or skiing. Even try tobogganing. You get to have some great fun sliding down the hill, while getting exercise going back up.

Eat the Right Foods

• It’s very important to eat a healthy diet to put up a fight against seasonal depression. Your body requires plenty of vitamins and minerals to work efficiently. If you’re eating too much fat and sugar, and consuming large amounts of caffeine, your body will not be able to perform as well. This in turn can cause emotional concerns.
• It’s now understood that for those who are suffering from depression, including SAD, there’s a chemical in the brain, (seratonin, which is composed of something called “tryptophan”), that’s lacking. That’s why it’s so important for those who are suffering from SAD to get plenty of this amino acid tryptophan, which can be found in foods such as fish, turkey, bananas, nuts and avocados, to increase their seratonin levels.

Herbal Therapy

• Depression has been treated with herbs for centuries. Two of the most effective treatments, include St. John’s wort and gota kola. In recent years, those suffering from SAD have been advised to drink a tea made up of licorice root, St. John’s wort and ginseng. This combination of herbs can help to boost energy levels, and in turn improve the overall mood of the sufferer.

While SAD can be debilitating, it isn’t always necessary to require prescribed medications. The same is true for the general winter blues that so many suffer from. A good diet and active lifestyle can work wonders to help lift your spirits, and help you get through those long winter months.

Eat better, move more, and believe in yourself!

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