End of Summer, Beginning of SAD
As fall approaches, even in the southern states, where the seasonal change is less visceral, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real experience.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but the long and the short of it is a deficiency of exposure to light, causing a bio-chemical change which appears as depression.
There are a lot of ways to combat this sadness; a healthier diet, surrounding yourself with friends and family (easier during the holiday season), a regular exercise regimen, a vacation to a sunnier climate, and in extreme cases, Light Therapy.
Light Therapy isn’t anything scary, it’s simply a regimented exposure to light, which positively affects your circadian rhythm, helping to keep away those mid-winter doldrums.
Regardless of which part of the world you live in, it is necessary to have a regular exposure to sunlight, and ‘SAD’ness isn’t specific to the colder, more grey climates, either. Even residents of Southern California, the ‘Golden State,’ refer to their ‘June Gloom.’ A time of the year notorious for grey and over-cast skies and clammy weather.
Regardless of where you live, if you’re feeling a bit down, it may be as simple as getting out and getting some sunlight. If that’s not readily available, try Vitamin D, a healthier diet, beginning light exercise, or even a little light therapy to ease your blues.
ShareThis
