The Health Nut Blog

Some people may scoff at the idea of seasonal depression, thinking that a change in the weather can't really make a person depressed or that anyone who feels this way just needs to get a grip on their emotions and snap out of it.  We all deal with the same weather as our neighbors, so why should some actually suffer from seasonal depression when others are perfectly fine through the worst of winters?  There are some reasons why some people have this disorder when others don't, and there are also some things that any person can do to deal with it.

What Causes Seasonal Depression

Humans react to light just as much as plants do; we may not wither in the shade, but we still need sunlight.  Someone who isn't exposed to natural light on a regular basis can suffer from rickets and other diseases, so to say that a lack of light affecting your mood is all in one's head just isn't logical.  If it affects you physically of course it can affect you emotionally.  A lack of light during wintertime can cause seasonal depression in those that are more sensitive to this condition.  It's also true that some people just don't like outdoor sports during the winter such as skiing or snowboarding, so they are getting much less natural light than those that are on the slopes regularly.  Some too may be more sensitive to the cold, such as ones with poorer circulation.  Of course they would want to stay indoors more often, contributing to their seasonal depression.

Sometimes when you are stuck inside too long you can get what they call cabin fever which can be a cause of seasonal depression.  When you are cooped up in the house all the time and roads are covered in snow and ice, it's easy to feel frustrated, irritated, bored, and trapped.  These can easily lead to cases of depression.

Treating Seasonal Depression

We can't magically wish winter away or take off for several months at a time to go sit on a beach and make ourselves feel better.  But there are some things that one can do when winter rolls around to treat seasonal depression.As you can imange, spending as much time outside as you can is very important.  Even if you go outside to clear the walk or just stand on the porch for a few minutes, this can help.  If you're not one much for winter sports, remember you can play in the snow with your children or just walk up and down the sidewalk to be outside.An easy thing that can help is changing your light bulbs so they look more like natural light which should help your moods.  Keep your environment as bright as possible for as long as possible; avoid turning down your lamps until it's nighttime.  Regular exercise is also important as exercise always helps to alleviate one's mood.You will have to plan extra hard during the winter to ensure you have plenty of activities planned that you can do so you aren't inside all of the time.  Keep all these thoughts in mind and you'll be better able to cope with your seasonal depression.

# posted by NeilG @ 7:36 AM