It’s definitely that time of year again and autumn is well under way. The days are so much shorter now the clocks have gone back and we in the UK are seeing fewer hours of daylight, never mind sunshine. It’s colder, rainier and greyer than it was just a few short weeks ago and this will continue for several months. The leaves are now dropping rapidly from the trees and it feels as if winter is fast approaching.
Along with the short days comes an increase in Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which millions of people worldwide experience and most of them are women. Although we usually think of SAD affecting people in the northern hemisphere, it affects those furthest from the equator in the southern hemisphere too.
Perhaps surprisingly, some people find they experience SAD more during the summer months and feel better during the winter because it is, after all, a seasonal disorder, but most find their symptoms return during the autumn and ease up once spring arrives.
SAD is a form of depression with familiar symptoms, for example:
- feeling low
- not wanting to go out or see friends and family
- taking no, or little, pleasure in activities you would normally enjoy
- feeling lethargic and sleeping more
- comfort eating more often, especially carbohydrates
- difficulty concentrating
- low sex drive
So what can be done about it if you, a friend or family member is affected by SAD? Well, we know that because vitamin D levels drop during the winter months due to the lack of sunlight, it’s important to boost our levels by taking a vitamin D supplement from around September or October until March or April. Here are some more, Solution Focused, things you can do which will all help you feel better too:
- go outside as early as you can to get some daylight, even on cloudy days
- build into your daily routine some form of exercise, even walking (especially outside)
- make sure you’re seeing other people, even if it’s just for a walk or a coffee
- think about and plan activities that you enjoy so you have things to look forward to
- make sure you’re getting enough sleep, but not too much (7-9 hours is optimal for most people)
- get a light box
If you think you might benefit from some extra support this autumn and winter, start now by getting in touch for a free initial consultation and we’ll talk about how I can help you.