Once late fall hits do you start to feel sluggish and tired? After the holiday season does it get even worse? If you have these feelings it may be a sign that you have Seasonal Affective Disorder, better known as SAD. So what even is SAD? It is when a person begins to feel depressed, lonely, disinterest in activities, and an overall loss of energy. These symptoms usually begin in late fall and winter but in some cases can be during spring and summer. If you relate to this, what can you do to stop SAD? While it is completely normal to feel sad at certain periods if it begins to feel like that is all you do feel, you may need to talk to somebody that can help like your doctor, school counselor, or a parent. Another way to combat this yucky feeling is exercise. I know, I know, if you feel like this you are most likely not going to want to get up and get moving but TRUST me this really can help. The simple science of this is that when you exercise your body releases endorphins that trigger a positive feeling in your body. In the words of Elle Woods, “Endorphins make you happy…” Going outside even though its cold can also help ease your Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Although it may be chilly, bundling up and taking a short walk while the sun is out can help. Instead of staying inside and just watching movies, grab some friends and go on a hike to see wildlife during the winter. Despite lots of animals being in hibernation, there are still tons of neat creatures to see plus trees with snow on them make the perfect picture to post! As cheesy as it may sound, keeping a journal is also a great idea. Getting out some of your negative thoughts and emotions in writing or art can help you feel more positive throughout the day. You never want negative feelings to overtake you and make you feel miserable all day long. If you know you suffer from SAD, try to be proactive and keep yourself busy during the season. While it is important to make time for yourself, it is also important to be with friends and family doing activities. Try to do something new at least once or twice a month to make you feel accomplished. Always remember that it’s okay to feel sad sometimes, but you have to know that you are never alone. Don’t let the power of something with the acronym “SAD” get you down because the seasons will change and you won’t feel like this forever!
If you need someone to talk to, check out these numbers.
Crisis Text-Line: Text CONNECT to 741741
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
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