Preparing for Seasonal Affective Disorder Season
November is here and so is daylight savings, which means we are creeping up on SAD season! Also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, AKA Seasonal Depression, SAD season is the time of year when some of us might experience higher frequency and/or intensity of depression symptoms.
Seasonal depression can look differently for each individual person, but common symptoms that might become more prominent include fatigue, brain fog, a low or sad mood, and trouble concentrating.
More symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder can be found here.
We might be tempted to wait until the SADs hit to do anything about them. Being proactive, however, is actually much more effective. Start planning for the heavier months—and the emotional lows that they come with—now. It’s especially important to take action before symptoms fully set in so that the burden isn’t its heaviest when things are toughest.
Addressing seasonal depression symptoms can look many different ways. Tailor your options to your individual needs!
For those of us that are impacted in a less severe way by seasonal depression, preparing for the season may mean paying closer attention to our biological needs and other general self care tasks. This includes nourishment, hydration, sleep hygiene, socializing, and personal hygiene tasks. It also means supporting yourself in keeping up with individual responsibilities and chores, which might be more challenging if you are experiencing symptoms related to Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Some of us, however, may need more targeted support during the height of Seasonal Affective Disorder season. This could potentially include adding in or adjusting medication and supplements—hello Vitamin D! It could also mean using other tools such as SAD lamps.
NY Mag 9 Best SAD Lamps
Whether your seasonal depression is mild, severe, or somewhere in between, you deserve the right support to get you through. Seek out your providers or loved ones to ensure that you meet your needs during these darker months.
Speak directly with your care providers about any and all treatment with which you may be experimenting!
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