Winter blues are no longer temporary feelings that you cannot explain. Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD) is a real thing we should all be concerned about. It is a type of depression linked to seasonal changes and usually starts and ends at the same time every year. For most people with SAD, the symptoms start in the fall and continue in the winter months. It can even impact your productivity and make you feel less energized. Read on to know some tips on overcoming the winter blues and keeping your head in the game.
Signs of SAD
The key signs
and symptoms of SAD include feeling sad or listless, losing interest in
activities you liked once, feeling sluggish, having low energy levels, sleeping
excessively, carbs cravings, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts, and
many others.
Impact of SAD
on Productivity
As many symptoms
of SAD make you feel low, reduce your self-esteem, and have unexplainable pains
and aches, your productivity is likely to be impacted by SAD. The winter blues
or SAD also makes people prone to injuries, accidents, and absenteeism, all of
which cost $51 billion to businesses annually.
According to a
study in the UK, mental and physical health accounts for over 84% of direct
effects on productivity loss and 93% of indirect influences.
How to
Overcome the Winter Blues (or Defeat SAD)
1.
Talk to the Doctor
Talk to the
doctor to find out if you actually have SAD or you are just feeling low due to
other reasons. They will figure it out and find the right treatment plan.
2.
Prepare Yourself
Prepare yourself
for the winter blues and do more mind-boosting activities that help you feel
good, like following your hobby or doing community service.
3.
Try Light From a Box
Bright light
therapy can also help. In this therapy, you need access to phototherapy boxes
that give off light similar to sunshine and help manage SAD.
4.
Consider Dawn Simulators
You can use Dawn
Simulators, which produce light that progressively increases in intensity, just
like the sun. Choose full-spectrum light for better results.
5.
Antidepressants Might
Help
If SAD symptoms
are too intense, you can choose prescription antidepressants for a while. Just
avoid medications that make you sleepy or are addictive.
6.
Focus on Social
Activities
Stay proactive
and focus more on social activities, as isolating yourself might worsen your
symptoms. Consider these
guidelines for going out safely.
7.
Try Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves
using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. It might help with anxiety, mood
problems, and sleep issues.
8.
Stick to a Schedule
It is also
necessary to stick to a schedule to avoid sleeping late or staying in bed till
late in the mornings.
9.
Take a Break
If winter blues
are making you feel too bad, you can take a break from work, rejuvenate
yourself, and return refreshed.
10.
Exercise Regularly
In addition to
relieving SAD symptoms, exercising will make you feel good, release happy
hormones, lose weight, and have more self-confidence. You can start with these exercises.
11.
Have a Journal
Write your
feelings in a journal to vent them and have a new start every day.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/treatment/ways-to-ease-seasonal-depression/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2020/02/21/how-seasonal-affective-disorder-can-wreak-havoc-on-your-productivity/?sh=31760733308b