Boost Your Mental Health as the Seasons Change

We’ve reached October, and autumn is in full swing. While many people welcome the seasonal changes, you may dread the winter months, which bring colder and darker days and seasonal affective depression, commonly referred to as SAD.

If you feel like you can’t enjoy the changing of the seasons because of the significant impact the weather and gloomy skies have on your mood, our team wants to help you switch up that narrative. 

Led by Venice Sanchez, MD, at Sydea Medical Practice in Newport Beach, California, our mental health experts explain possible triggers of SAD and how to protect your mental and emotional health with healthy habits before we’re in the throes of winter.

Understanding SAD

Seasonal affective depression (SAD) is a clinically diagnosed form of depression that develops and then resolves at the same time every year. 

It differs from the “winter blues”, which is typically much milder, resolves quickly, and is triggered by particular events, such as losing a loved one or stressful circumstances surrounding the holiday season.

SAD is much more severe and interferes with your ability to function every day. You may feel a sense of hopelessness and worthlessness, driving you to withdraw from social interaction and your usual interests. 

While there is no known cause for SAD, a drop in serotonin levels and a change in your circadian rhythm due to decreased exposure to sunlight are thought to play major roles in SAD development. 

Proactively boosting your mental health

There isn’t a cure for SAD, but there are many healthy habits you can start practicing now to boost your mental health in preparation for mood changes. Even though these habits may not erase SAD symptoms, they should certainly help. 

Here are some things we believe you should prioritize for optimal mental health:

Light therapy 

Since a huge contributor to SAD is a decrease in sunlight exposure, undergoing light therapy can be helpful. During light therapy, you sit in front of a light therapy box that emits a very bright light for about 20 minutes. For best results, you should do it every morning right after you wake up. 

In addition, whenever the sun is out, try and be outside as much as you can. You can also strive to have lots of natural sunlight in your home and office to add even more sunlight exposure to your day. 

Professional mental health treatment

During these darker and colder months, our team provides supplemental treatment that can help improve your mental health. 

Undergoing a type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address and correct negative thought patterns about yourself and your environment. Taking anti-depressants can also help boost serotonin levels that have been reduced due to a lack of sunlight. 

Lastly, our team can outline some healthy habits that boost your physical health, which benefits your mental health as well. Eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of hydrating fluids, exercising, and getting enough high-quality sleep are foundational to overall wellness. 

To schedule an appointment for SAD management, simply call our office or use our online booking feature today.