SAD is essentially a kind of depression disorder that people become a victim of in cases where the sunlight they receive is less than the normal amount. This often happens in winter as well as fall. The good news is, it’s temporary, and people start feeling comparatively better as the long spring days start.
Recognizing SAD
While the symptoms differ from one individual to the other, some common SAD symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Lack of energy, fatigue, and lethargy
- Feeling guilty, worthless, and gloomy
- Change in focus, sleeping schedule, and appetite
Does SAD only happen in fall or winter?
Generally, people experiencing SAD tend to take note of these symptoms during the months of winter or fall. However, it is possible to undergo SAD in the long spring or summer months too.
Natural ways to counter SAD symptoms
The symptoms of this seasonal disorder can be improved by taking antidepressants. Apart from that, several other things that are possible without any medicines involved also help improve the tell-tale signs of SAD.
1.Incorporate mood-lifting items in your routine
Eating foods that are known to work as natural mood boosters help to improve the symptoms. Such foods include:
- Bananas
- Salmon
- Dark chocolate
- Avocado
- Coconut
- Blueberries
- Green tea
- Nuts
- Avoid alcohol
Of course, wine can help you relax and make you feel significantly better; however, that is only for a short time. Plus, taking alcohol in excess can, later, worsen how you feel. Since alcohol is known to be a depressant by nature, it leads to changes in metabolism and neuropsychology. Such changes often lead to depression. Thus, for those undergoing SAD, drinking alcohol can worsen the symptoms.
2.Staying fit with exercise
While it may sound surprising, exercise can play a role in countering SAD symptoms. Exercising produces hormones known as endorphins in the body that work as natural mood lifters. Moreover, exercise helps maintain weight and keeps energy levels maintained as well. As a result, there’s a general sense of wellbeing present which often makes people happy.
4. Get the right amount of sleep
SAD greatly impacts the regular sleep cycle. While some people start sleeping excessively, others find getting even six hours of sleep nearly possible. Trying to maintain your regular sleep cycle, however, can help to improve not only your mood but your alertness as well.
So, if you find yourself sleeping a lot, then set alarms to help avoid oversleeping. Meanwhile, if you’re not sleeping enough, then don’t stay in bed awake for over 20 minutes. Instead, leave the bed and keep yourself occupied with an activity until you feel sleepy then try going to bed again.
5. Have an IV cocktail
This cocktail is the first ever IV formula that was made by physician John Mayer from Baltimore. With the IV treatment, he helped many people with various conditions experience significant improvement in their symptoms. Today, that formula is used for promoting wellness. This mixture can work wonders for many conditions like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Migraines
The IV mixture is rich in both vitamin B as well as C along with magnesium. Both the vitamins improve not only the mood but their performance at the workplace as well. Meanwhile, magnesium in the cocktail corrects the deficiency in the neurons and their channels thus improving depression.
