Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, can effect up to 20% of Americans each year. While it is more common during the winter and mostly effects women, anyone could be battling with the symptoms of SAD. When dealing with seasonal depression, you may experience things like: low energy, anxiety, a drop in your mood and weight gain. This type of depression can be treated with different types of medications but getting the help you need from a natural source is always the best choice. Here are some of the great, natural ways to treat SAD:
Light Therapy – sitting in front of a bright light therapy box for about 30 minutes a day can help your body produce serotonin in order to help give you energy and lift your mood. These UV free lights are safe to use and will not cause any damage to your skin or eyes. Simply set up the light box so that it is shining towards your face and then you can continue on with your normal morning routine (putting on makeup, eating breakfast, watching TV, etc.). This is the perfect way to quickly turn your mood around and make the season great.
Spend Time Outside – being exposed to the sun is another way to help your body produce serotonin and it will also help give you Vitamin D. Being exposed to UV rays is a great way to keep your bones strong and your mind clear. While it can sometimes be hard to spend time in the sun during the winter months, it is important to try to spend at least 10-20 minutes outside each day in order to stay happy and healthy all year long.
Healthy Diet – eating foods that are rich in Vitamin D and other nutrients is a wonderful way to help give your body the energy it needs to get through the season. You can even look for recipes that use a lot of natural mood boosters like: dark green vegetables, whole grains, fatty fishes and nuts/seeds. Eating healthy not only keeps your body strong but your mind as well.
Exercise – just getting the energy to work out can be tough sometimes, but it is always worth it in the end. Exercising helps release endorphins and raises serotonin levels in order to help you stay energetic and healthy. Even just walking around for 15-30 minutes a few times a week can make a huge difference in your life.