If you tend to feel depressed as the cold or rainy weather rolls in, you're not alone. According to research from the American Academy of Family Physicians, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, may affect up to six percent of people in the United States. Luckily, there are ways to address the winter blues and boost your mood.
Phototherapy
Because the winter blues are believed to be caused by the reduced levels of light, the use of special light boxes is a popular treatment for SAD. This treatment is called "phototherapy" and entails the use of boxes lined with full-spectrum lights and a reflector.
Antidepressants
As the website HealthCentral notes, there have been no long-term controlled studies regarding the use of antidepressants to treat SAD. However, the site also notes that SAD is believed to be caused by reductions of serotonin production, and antidepressants work to correct that issue. As the Mayo Clinic explains, one popular form of antidepressants, called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), work to ensure your body maintains proper serotonin levels.
Exercising Outdoors
Because it is the reduction of available light that triggers the winter blues, being outside as much as possible can ease the condition. Carol E. Watkins, M.D., suggests performing exercise outdoors to alleviate SAD. This gives you the mood-boosting benefits of exercise along with extra exposure to light.
Psychotherapy
The Mayo Clinic suggests that psychotherapy may be an effective treatment for seasonal mood disorders. The site suggests that symptoms of the winter blues can be made worse by your mood, so eliminating negative behavioral patterns and thoughts can help increase feelings of well-being.
References
- PsychTreatment: Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Exactly Is It?
- HealthCentral: Seasonal Affective Disorder
- MayoClinic: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Carol E. Watkins, M.D.: Seasonal Affective Disorder: Winter Depression
- MayoClinic: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Treatments and Drugs
