Ohhh, where to start. All things mental health-related can be so misunderstood… in every way possible. When it's you who is experiencing it, it can be hard to understand why you may be feeling “off” or not yourself. Sometimes it feels like it's for no reason at all. From a therapeutic standpoint, it can be incredibly difficult to treat due to the subjective and complicated nature of mental illnesses and mood disorders. From a social perspective, people around you might not know what’s going on, why you may be acting different, or why you are interacting less with your friends and family. Maybe you’ve talked to them about it, but they still don’t understand, or maybe you haven’t talked about it at all.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with things like depression and anxiety, despite there being SO many people who suffer from this in one way or another. The best way I know how to do my small part to help is to share my personal experience, what I know about mood disorders like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and the things that have helped me personally manage my anxiety and SAD.
What is SAD?
Generalized anxiety and major depression are a lot more common than Seasonal Affective disorder, but many people who have SAD have some form of either anxiety or depression, as well. This post is specifically about SAD, a.k.a. Seasonal Affective Disorder, considering we’re currently in the season when people are affected by it. SAD is a mood disorder characterized by depression and/or anxiety that is brought about or significantly worsened at the same time every year.
For most people who suffer from SAD, this occurs in the late fall or early winter and/or when we experience Daylight Saving’s Time. The colder weather and much shorter days make us more likely to stay inside, and it all just throws off our internal clock in general. A lot of people get a little bummed out or "blue" for a couple of days/weeks, and then their bodies quickly adjust and they feel themselves again. For people who suffer from SAD, they feel more than a little "blue", and it typically lasts for the duration of the season.
Symptoms Commonly Experienced by those with SAD
Feeling depressed or down (seemingly for “no reason”)
Loss of interest in activities (things you typically enjoy)
Social withdrawal
Lack of energy
Irritability/agitation
Increased anxiety
Changes in sleep (somnolence or insomnia)
Changes in appetite or weight (sometimes this includes weight gain, or more rarely, weight loss)
** If you are having thoughts of death or suicide (in rare cases), please consult a doctor immediately if you are having this symptom especially.)
My Personal Experience
Since I have had anxiety most of my life, and that whole story is a topic for a blog post another day, I will give you the long story short. I have suffered from some level of anxiety ever since I can remember. It got worse as I got older, however over time (and maybe with some wisdom?) I have found many ways to improve it naturally, how to cope, and manage it overall in order to live a happy and fulfilled life. In general, I have always been very happy, I have always been able to function at a high level and succeed in work and school, I have many amazing, healthy relationships with my loved ones.
However....
You can be happy and successful and fulfilled and still have depression or anxiety. We are human and more fears, more worry, and more stress come about naturally for us as we grow up and gain more responsibilities.
For people with anxiety (like me), even a small stressor, change in plans, or unfamiliar environment can trigger a spike in mood symptoms, physiological symptoms, or even panic attacks.
My personal experience with seasonal depression causes all of my anxiety symptoms to spike, when typically I can manage them holistically, with therapy, or minimize them with the many coping mechanisms I have adapted and practiced over the years. It makes me feel more down than normal, I can become more irritable, I experience an increase in overthinking/ruminating, I have less motivation and energy, and I experience changes in my sleep, to name a few.
Sometimes coping is too hard, sometimes it’s exhausting, and sometimes it still gets the best of me. If you suffer from anxiety, depression, SAD, or any other mood disorder, know that it’s OK to feel those feelings sometimes. Allow and acknowledge those feelings. Even people who don’t suffer from mood disorders are not happy 100 percent of the time. We. Are. Human.
Treatments, Supplements, and Things That Have Helped Me
Vitamin D
Therapy
Therapy can be extremely effective. It takes some openness and willingness to put in effort, but it is worth it. Some insurance companies will cover therapy sessions. If yours will not and it is out of budget for you, the next best thing would be to talk with someone you trust, someone you feel will not judge you, and someone who will listen. If all else fails, write it out, a.k.a. JOURNAL! Simply putting your thoughts into words and on paper can help you release some negative energy and let go of thoughts and feelings that are not serving you.
Healthy Diet (with focus on serotonin boosting foods)
This is truly the holistic approach. Eating the right foods will help your energy levels, fuel your brain, improve digestion, and even help boost serotonin (the “happy hormone”). See also adaptogens listed below.
Healthy foods that boost serotonin:
Walnuts
Cashews
Pineapple
Banana
Kiwi
Grapefruit
Tomatoes
Dark leafy greens
Salmon
Flax seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Oh, and remember, the gut and brain are very connected. Take a probiotic like this one every morning to ensure your gut flora is in balance.
Incorporate Adaptogens
Adaptogens are natural compounds that help the body adapt to physical and mental stress by regulating hormones like cortisol. This then normalizes the stress response, increases concentration, and prevents fatigue. Adaptogenic foods also tend to be foods that are very high in nutritional value, packing lots of vitamins and minerals.
Adaptogens to Incorporate :(smoothies, Bulletproof coffee, wherever you can!—our Instagram feed is filled with recipes that include adaptogens.) The first 4 on this list are healing herbs that can be purchased in powdered form here. The others can typically be found in a normal grocery store.
Reishi
Ashwaghanda
Cordyceps
Rhodiola
Maca (can buy in powdered form)
Gogi berries
Ginseng (can buy in tea form)
Holy basil
Licorice root (can buy in tea form)
Taking time to yourself/time to unwind
Whatever it is that helps you relax, try to make time at the very least once a week to do that.
Ways to unwind:
listen to music
light candles
take a bath
diffuse essential oils
go to yoga
go for a run
take your dog for a walk
Essential oils
Diffuse them, apply them topically, perform self-massage with them. I love lavender and frankincense at night. If I do self-massage, I mix either or both with coconut oil and rub my shoulders. In the morning I love to diffuse citrus or dab a drop onto my wrists to wake me up a bit. Lemon and orange are great. All are great to help with anxiety. Read more about how
Meditation/Mindfulness
Taking time in the morning and/or at night to be quiet, sit/lay with your eyes closed, and either focus on thinking of nothing, or focus on thinking of things you are grateful for and your daily intentions. Guided meditation apps like Calm and Headspace are great, especially for beginners.
Read our post about the Mindful Morning Ritual! It has been crucial to managing my symptoms and setting a positive, calm tone for the day.
Exercise
This partially goes with the next tip, keeping your normal routine. If exercising is not part of your normal routine, you should really give it a try for a plethora of obvious reasons, but ESPECIALLY if you suffer from depression, anxiety, or SAD. Even if all you can do is a 10 minute walk outside. It’s a great release of energy and tension, you get increased endorphines, it’s a great way to quiet your mind, and you’ll experience more energy and a stronger, healthier body overall.
Keeping your normal routine the best you can
Despite it getting so dark so early, try your best to keep your routine. Continue working out, continue going on walks, continue taking your kids/dog to the park-- whatever activities you typically do. It can even help to continue on your typical eating schedule, and it can certainly help to stay close to your same sleep schedule if possible.
Acceptance and acknowledgment
Honor your feelings, positive AND negative. Know that it’s OK to feel “blah” sometimes. Know that what you’re going through is common, and you are certainly not alone. Accept those feelings and allow them when you need to. If you bottle everything up, eventually you will breakdown. It’s good to understand what you are feeling, but to not let it define you. We. Are. Human.