Be SAD no more
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a type of seasonal depression which affects millions of people every winter between September and April. It is a mood disorder. SAD is brought on by inadequate exposure to sunlight. But even if you or someone you know is affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, there is no reason to despair. The helpful tips given below will easily aid you in driving the blues away and living a healthier, sunnier life.
Exercise can help a lot in getting the blood circulating freely throughout the body. All types of exercises help, whether light or heavy. Exercises can make you feel better immediately.
It is advisable to get adequate exposure to light. Whatever you do, keep yourself surrounded with light at all times. There is no better way to keep away the SAD blues as SAD is caused by lack of light.
Talk to the people you are close to. Meet them, call them or chat with them on the Internet. Confide your feelings in them and they will offer you adequate support to pull you out from the depths of despair.
To share your feeling with like-minded people, you can even consider joining a support group. When you share your experiences with others who are going through the same phases, you are sure to strike a bond and get helpful tips on how to combat this debilitating condition. Call your doctor and ask him/ her to recommend one for you. Or else, you can check on the Internet or in the telephone directory to find a good support group.
Ask your doctor if you need medication. Sometimes, in severe cases, this may be recommended. But these medicines take time to take effect, so you should also try out the other tips to keep your spirits up. Do not take any medication without consulting your doctor.
You can use SAD light therapy boxes or devices like dawn simulators to give yourself exposure to high intensity light from time to time. These have been found to be very effective in treating SAD.Finally, do something you love and enjoy. When you are feeling down in the dumps, that might be hard to do. But you can simply close your eyes and think what you would be doing had it been the middle of summer. Then you can go ahead and do it, if it is practically possible of course. Get up and get going. Do some fun activities. Meet your friends. Jump around. Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. After a while, the grin on your face will be quite genuine!