Accumulation Effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder

This has been a tough winter as southern Ontario experienced the darkest winter in more than 80 years according to CBC news. So what does increased darkness and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) have in common, well according to the Mayo Clinic reduced levels of sunlight in winter may cause winter-onset of SAD as the decrease in sunlight disrupts our body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. In my personal and professional experience, this winter season has hit harder for those who experience winter-SAD, and I am seeing an accumulation effect that the lack of sunlight has had on daily functioning including lower energy and lower mood. In addition, the usual coping for SAD feels less effective and can wear down people’s abilities to bounce back. Please find 4 suggestions below to support you on your journey of bouncing back:

1. Daily Morning Light & Getting Outside: One of the key treatments for SAD is light therapy. Last week we had the natural gift of light with warm temperatures and lots of sunlight. It is important to have daily morning light whether sunny or cloudy as this helps our circadian rhythms, can boost our mood, and provide us with the light our body is needing. Find ways to get outside each day even if for small increments of time is important, and when it is sunny pausing to feel the warmth of the sunlight on your face, hands, and body.
2. Open the Curtains & Clean the Windows: It is important to let the light in literally, it can be good to make habit of opening the curtains/blinds each morning to allow the natural light outside to brighten your space. Including taking the time to clean the windows as this allows you to see more clearly outside and experience the sensation of more light. Numerous studies have shown links between decluttered and clean spaces with improved mental health, Psychcom speaks to the links between cleaning and reduced feelings of depression.
3. Engage with Nature Coming Back to Life: Find ways to take “mindful moments” to pause and listen to the birds, tune into the evolution of the trees with leaves starting to bud, and if you have a garden witness the changes as we move through Spring.
4. Try Something New: There is a lot of research that supports the numerous mental health and wellbeing benefits of trying something new. This article talks about benefits including improved mood, memory and motivation, flexing and fulfilling your potential, and developing new neutral pathways to handle new situations. For those interested in trying something new I am offering two spring group courses including “Unlocking Mind-Body Paradigm through Breathwork” in May, and “Cultivating your Meditation Practice” in June. Click the links for more information and feel free to reach out to me [email protected], or call/text 647-951-3344.

You do not need to struggle with this on your own. I am Nicole Levy, and I am here as your helping hand, let’s get started, book your complimentary initial consult today https://www.mindfulhealingjourney.ca/#/