Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Winter Blues
With the grey skies, gloomy days, and cold weather creeping up on us it is very common to experience a shift in our mood. You may tend to find yourself more sluggish and down than usual. Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, is a form of depression that is developed with a seasonal change into the winter months. Due to the limited amount of sunlight, our bodies lack vitamin D resulting in a decrease of serotonin, the happy hormone and increase in melatonin, the sleep hormone.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in months of uncertainty, social distancing, isolation, and stress, the stay-at-home measures may make seasonal affective disorder more difficult than usual or even affect those who have never experienced it. Enhancing the lack of exposure to sunlight this winter season, it is important to learn the various coping methods to improve your mood this winter!
How to improve your mood this winter!
There are several ways to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder and boost your mood! First, get some fresh air, even though it may be gloomy outside, going for a walk and getting some fresh air can make a significant difference in our levels of serotonin, melatonin and vitamin D. Although there is no access to a gym, a short home workout, walk or run can boost your mood! These exercises don't have to be intense, simply just a way to keep you moving! Lastly, it is important to stay connected to your loved ones!
On behalf of the ENGWellness Team, thanks for checking out this post! Please connect with us if you have anything that you would like to see in the future: ENGWellness@uwaterloo.ca.