Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Jan. 23, 2025
The winter months in Michigan can be challenging for many people. The shorter days and lack of sunlight can cause a dramatic shift in our mood. When this shift in our mood seems to happen at the same time of year, it is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD. What exactly is SAD you might be wondering? It is a type of depression that tends to occur during the summer months. Although some people have experienced seasonal changes in their mood during the spring and summer months. This tends to be less common but it can happen. We tend to see seasonal depression during the winter months and it is most prevalent in individuals with a history of depression.
Many people who are familiar with SAD understand that they are missing Vitamin D from the lack of sunlight. It is true that this can make symptoms of depression worse. The reduced sunlight during the fall and winter impacts our circadian rhythm which regulates mood and sleep. Another important factor that impacts our mood is decrease in serotonin levels due to the lack of sunlight. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation. During these dark, cold months, there is an increase in melatonin which is another factor contributing to people feeling more sluggish during the day.
Genetics can also play a role in seasonal affective disorder. Other factors that can impact our mood include environmental factors or life events such as work stress, the illness or death of a loved one, our own health issues or other family stressors. Sometimes it's a combination of the cold temps, the lack of sunlight and other life events such as the loss of a pet, Covid or the flu. These life events might originally be considered an adjustment disorder when we are just dealing with one of them at a time, but they can spiral into a seasonal depression when we are overwhelmed by so many of these things happening at once.
In addition to feeling sluggish, tired and low on energy, people might not enjoy activities that they typically enjoy. Sometimes they do not want to go anywhere and may turn down invitations to go out with friends and family. They might experience changes in sleep which can include sleeping too much or waking up too early. Our typical sleep cycle is often not what it used to be when we are dealing with SAD. People can experience changes in appetite often eating too much, craving sweets and carbs or losing their appetite completely. Sometimes it can cause people to have trouble concentrating. Being tired and sad impacts our ability to focus. When we are dealing with depression, we typically experience feelings of sadness and sometimes feelings of hopelessness.
If you are dealing with some of these symptoms and suspect it may be seasonal affective disorder, here are some strategies that might help:
1. Get outside in the morning (light therapy). This can boost your serotonin levels and reset your body's circadian rhythm.
2.Consult a healthcare provider to see if you should take Vitamin D.
3. Movement can help. Be sure to get some exercise!
4.Cognitve Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help us identify negative thought patterns as we practice reframing those with more helpful statements.
5. In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication may be needed in severe cases.
If you think you are dealing with seasonal depression, reach out to Best Life Therapy for assistance. We are happy to help and can even meet with you online so you won't have to face the cold Michigan temps.
- posted: Jan. 23, 2025
The winter months in Michigan can be challenging for many people. The shorter days and lack of sunlight can cause a dramatic shift in our mood. When this shift in our mood seems to happen at the same time of year, it is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD. What exactly is SAD you might be wondering? It is a type of depression that tends to occur during the summer months. Although some people have experienced seasonal changes in their mood during the spring and summer months. This tends to be less common but it can happen. We tend to see seasonal depression during the winter months and it is most prevalent in individuals with a history of depression.
Many people who are familiar with SAD understand that they are missing Vitamin D from the lack of sunlight. It is true that this can make symptoms of depression worse. The reduced sunlight during the fall and winter impacts our circadian rhythm which regulates mood and sleep. Another important factor that impacts our mood is decrease in serotonin levels due to the lack of sunlight. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation. During these dark, cold months, there is an increase in melatonin which is another factor contributing to people feeling more sluggish during the day.
Genetics can also play a role in seasonal affective disorder. Other factors that can impact our mood include environmental factors or life events such as work stress, the illness or death of a loved one, our own health issues or other family stressors. Sometimes it's a combination of the cold temps, the lack of sunlight and other life events such as the loss of a pet, Covid or the flu. These life events might originally be considered an adjustment disorder when we are just dealing with one of them at a time, but they can spiral into a seasonal depression when we are overwhelmed by so many of these things happening at once.
In addition to feeling sluggish, tired and low on energy, people might not enjoy activities that they typically enjoy. Sometimes they do not want to go anywhere and may turn down invitations to go out with friends and family. They might experience changes in sleep which can include sleeping too much or waking up too early. Our typical sleep cycle is often not what it used to be when we are dealing with SAD. People can experience changes in appetite often eating too much, craving sweets and carbs or losing their appetite completely. Sometimes it can cause people to have trouble concentrating. Being tired and sad impacts our ability to focus. When we are dealing with depression, we typically experience feelings of sadness and sometimes feelings of hopelessness.
If you are dealing with some of these symptoms and suspect it may be seasonal affective disorder, here are some strategies that might help:
1. Get outside in the morning (light therapy). This can boost your serotonin levels and reset your body's circadian rhythm.
2.Consult a healthcare provider to see if you should take Vitamin D.
3. Movement can help. Be sure to get some exercise!
4.Cognitve Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help us identify negative thought patterns as we practice reframing those with more helpful statements.
5. In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication may be needed in severe cases.
If you think you are dealing with seasonal depression, reach out to Best Life Therapy for assistance. We are happy to help and can even meet with you online so you won't have to face the cold Michigan temps.
We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Trauma
At Best Life Therapy, we provide compassionate counseling to support your mental health journey. Our experienced therapists are here to help you navigate life's challenges and promote personal growth.
We hope you enjoy reading our blogs!
Sign up below to subscribe To our blogs. These are free And You Will Have Instant Access to Them.
You will have instant access as soon as they are published! We promise not to overload your inbox.
- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan