S.A.D. 1
Posted by: Frank Walker LMFT | November 24, 2023
Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD is a type of depression that happens during a certain season of the year—most often fall and winter.
There is no clear cause of SAD.
Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
It’s that time of year. The days are getting shorter and colder. We all tend to hibernate during the fall and winter. We stay inside, hunker down and sometimes let it all cause us to be depressed.
SAD happens and for some it can cause serious problems, depression, anger, and suicidal thoughts.
The first thing to do in dealing with SAD is to recognize that this is the time of year that it can happen.
Just the knowledge of the effects that weather and being inside can cause mental distress is the first step in recognizing the problems of the season.
So here is the number one thing you can do to combat the effects of SAD.
Light.
Get out in the sun as much as you can. Preferably in the morning as the sun has a function in producing melatonin in your body. Early morning sun also helps with your sleep rhythms.
No sun, or cloudy days. Then consider a sun lamp or light bulbs that have a daylight reading.
The short dark days of winter can cause changes in your personality, fight this with sunlight.
Frank is a retired marriage counselor living on the central coast.
Check out all his blogposts at
walkertherapy.wordpress.com
and check his YouTube channel
“A Marriage Minute”
@ Frank Walker LMFT
http//youtube.com/c/FrankWalkerLMFT
Frank has written several books that are available @
http://www.blurb.com/user/store/frankjwalker
Frank is an artist with 31 years of teaching experience.
If you would like to see his art, check out his Instagram page @
FWalker927
Or his art website @
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