How to Deal with Seasonal Depression

When the fall and winter months start to set in, we start to see the world around us change: the start of school,sports, weather, and even our own mental states. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that occurs usually in fall or winter. According to John Hopkins Medicine, it is thought that less daylight and shorter days can lead to chemical changes in the brain, triggering depressive feelings. Like with any kind of depression, SAD can feel impossible to deal with, especially for those already affected with other disorders or conditions. It’s easy to get caught up in schoolwork, family issues, or even just your own thoughts. These emotional and mental changes tend to affect students more, putting an immense pressure on them on top of schoolwork and co-curricular commitments. However, despite this, there are methods to combat this seasonal depression and make yourself feel a little bit better.

The ways to combat feeling depressed vary depending on the individual. Everyone has different things that work for them, but luckily there are plenty of options.

Mindfulness practices

For people who struggle with anxiety, which is often related to depression, breathing exercises and meditations can help alleviate these feelings. According to the National Library of Medicine, mindfulness practices have been associated with higher life satisfaction, self esteem, optimism, and have been shown to alleviate depression and social anxiety. Plus, it’s a super easy, accessible way to relax that only takes a few minutes!

Staying active

Though stated frequently, physical activity can widely benefit mental health. Whether it be through running, going to the gym, playing a sport, or even just going on neighborhood walks, it’s important to stay active, and not only for your physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical benefits of exercise include improved brain health and lowered risk of disease. The National Library of Medicine reports the mental benefits of reduced anxiety and depression, positive mood, heightened self-esteem and less social withdrawal. The benefits speak for themselves, and though it may sound like a hassle, exercise doesn’t have to be difficult. Even something as little as a 15 minute walk every day can do wonders.

Stay organized

One huge contributing factor to the mental state of many is stress, especially as students. Keeping tabs on your work and organizing your things has proven to be useful in stabilizing your motivation, something that can be lacking in tough times. Creating to-do lists, rewarding yourself, and using efficient working techniques are all ways to aid with this. However, don’t put too much on your plate! Creating smaller, attainable tasks can be better than setting huge goals, and are still worth the same amount of pride in their accomplishment.

Seeking help

Most importantly, if you feel as if you’re struggling more than you can manage, seek out support. It could be with a friend, a family member, a school counselor, or a therapist, but it’s important to recognize that sometimes things get out of our own hands. Creating a support system for ourselves is important, as mental health struggles can often come out of nowhere. Having someone to talk to to soften the blow is always a good option.