When summer transitions into fall it brings a season of cooler weather, fun holidays, and warm cozy items. The downsides to changes in weather, unfortunately, include Seasonal Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD. SAD is “a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall/early winter and starts to diminish during the spring and summer.” Seasonal Affective Disorder is either triggered by a change in weather, lower vitamin D levels, and shorter days of sunlight. Staying aware of SAD and incorporating new habits into your daily routine can help improve your mood during this time.
Identify Your Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
Whenever the weather gets colder, I crave sweets and carbs. Now, this isn’t the best habit, but admitting is the first step. During this season, take inventory of your coping mechanisms that may not be the healthiest. Do you eat unhealthily? If not, create a list of healthy snacks you DO like and stock up on those.
Exercise Indoors or Outdoor
Working out has a plethora of benefits that releases feel-good chemicals due to endorphins and serotonin, which can be useful in treating SAD. Whether you like working out outside or at the gym, getting your body moving can increase your mood.
There are various ways to incorporate exercise into your daily —> here.
Increase Your Vitamin D Intake
During the summer, we get plenty of vitamin D from sunlight. As the weather gets colder, we transition from always being outside that unknowingly decreases our moods and yes, our Vitamin D levels. It is essential during these months to keep these levels up! To increase your Vitamin D intake, you could bundle up and spend time outside, eat food rich in Vitamin D or if you’re like me and both of those sounds like a hard pass, consult with your doctor about Vitamin D supplements!
Invest in Light Therapy
Light therapy boxes give off light that mimics sunshine and can help in the recovery from SAD. These boxes are excellent due to the fact that they are known to stimulate your body’s circadian rhythm and suppress the natural release of melatonin. These can help improve your mood and is a unique way to start your day.
Learn more about the benefits of light therapy boxes —> here.
Stay Busy!
Having a schedule and sticking to it will help you tremendously when it comes to transitioning and fighting seasonal depression! Keep those appointments and if you don’t have any, create some. Find networking events in your area or even book a flight for cheap and enjoy life, Sis! Keep moving and stay active! The more you create and stick to your plans, the better you will feel!
Talk To a Therapist
If seasonal depression becomes unbearable, know that therapy is here for you. By attending regular sessions into your weekly routine these professionals will know precisely how to help you tackle it and move forward! Mental health is becoming a priority in Black individuals’ lives so don’t be afraid to ask for help during these transitional seasons. They don’t judge.
