Gloomy Weather and Gloomy Emotions

By Lauren Tabacchini

As the world rotates, seasons come and go. In some places, the changes are not too drastic, such as places closer to the equator. For people who are not as close, these changes are intense, with changes in temperature and weather going from a high of ninety degrees and sunny in the summer to negative four with snowstorms piling in inches during the winter.

It is not new news that changes in the weather lead to changes that can affect one's mood and well-being. Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as seasonal depression, is a very problematic disorder to those who experience it, commonly those with colder weather climates. Seasonal depression is depression that is induced by not receiving a sufficient amount of vitamin D due to a lack of sunlight, which commonly appears at the same time every year, during the colder, less sunny months. While people who live in warmer climates still get the necessary amount of sunlight during the winter, those who do not are extremely prone to this disorder. The body needs vitamin D to survive and function as it normally should, and those who do not receive access to sunlight during all times of the year can struggle mentally.

Luckily, for those who suffer from seasonal depression that live in colder temperatures, there are holistic solutions to help remedy these effects, solutions that differ from being prescribed antidepressants for that time of year. This article will dive into natural remedies for seasonal depression to offer readers solutions to help the devastating effects of seasonal depression other than taking medicine.

The first natural remedy for seasonal depression is called light therapy. Light therapy is when one uses a bright artificial light to emulate the feeling of being in the sun as one normally is during the warmer months of the year. Light therapy works and it does so quickly; additionally, it is very easy to do. To get the best results using light therapy, it is recommended to sit in front of this light for 20-60 minutes in the morning, then to go about one’s day as usual. Results have been shown to lower symptoms of depression within a few days in most cases by around 60% to 70%. I am a user of light therapy, and it has worked wonders for me. The light that I use specifically is the HappyLight, but there are many other versions with great reviews as well. At the end of the article, there will be a link for the HappyLight for those who are interested.

An additional remedy for seasonal depression involves natural herbs. Ashwagandha is a great one. This herb has been shown to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety in those who have taken it, similar to the results shown when taking an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) also known as an antidepressant, just without any of the negative side effects that antidepressants are known to have. Ashwagandha can be taken in powder form mixed into a drink, gummy vitamin form, or also as a pressed pill one can take. With ashwagandha it is important to take it on a full stomach so as to not experience any abdominal discomfort and for the herb to work to its fullest potential.

A final holistic remedy for the effects of seasonal depression is exercise. Exercise, when done regularly, has been shown to lessen the effects of not only seasonal depression, but depression in its broadest sense. The necessary thing to do when exercising to lessen the effects of depression is to make sure one’s heart rate becomes elevated and to build a sweat. It is also very important when using this method to make sure one is getting the correct amount of nutrients and water.

Seasonal depression does not have to be the end of the world and one does not need to be prescribed drugs as the only way to gain relief. Holistic remedies work just as well, if not better than prescribed medicine. If you or someone you know is battling seasonal depression, be sure to educate them on natural medicine and alternatives that can help their case.

Link to purchase HappyLight (non sponsored):

https://www.target.com/p/10-4-34-x-6-4-34-x-1-1-34-led-uv-free-happy-light-lumi-therapy-lamp-white-verilux/-/A-81506845?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012577541&CPNG=PLA_Home%2BDecor%2BShopping%7CHome%2BDecor_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Home%2BDecor&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=t&location=9017469&targetid=pla-323070238744&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1248099&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfYa7pcH7IKaI0PB3RZlt1Ebr&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfYa7pcH7IKaI0PB3RZlt1Ebr&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqRLHxB0rlIESm8ab3pGIbUZLAsBwc_WDlYgriGSYnxuMN6Mcb2LvaEaAo_uEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Seasonal-affective-disorder&utm_campaign=Knowledge-panel

https://fiveflavorsherbs.com/blog/natural-remedies-for-seasonal-affective-disorder/

https://sad.psychiatry.ubc.ca/frequently-asked-questions-about-sad-and-light-therapy

#ashwagandha #depression #lighttherapy #anxiety #antidepressant #holistic #exercising #nutrients #water #seasonaldepression #vitamind #happylight