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The weather is changing, and while you may be looking forward to the colder months, winter depression may also be just around the corner. For some, it is a scary prospect. Transitions in the weather bring along a set of distinct psychological challenges, among them being the well-known winter depression.
The harsh cold and grim days can slowly fill you up with negative emotions and mood irregularities that lead to the infamous Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However, we can prevent winter depression from casting a shadow on the entire season. With the necessary insight into the dynamics between winter and depression, an individual can lead a fulfilling life.
An intersting tool to mitigate the symptoms is light therapy for sessional depression. This paves the way for hope and warmth, even in the harshest of seasons.
The Connection Between Winter and Depression
Seasonal depression is a very real condition. and many individuals have difficulty adjusting to it. The decrease in the daylight hours hinders the body's internal clock, resulting in mood alterations and feeling low on energy.
People remain indoors because of a drop in temperatures, and this brings along a sense of social isolation as well. All these factors, when combined, give birth to negative emotions such as feeling sad, hopeless or lonely, thus making winter depression a challenging problem.
The infamous phrase "SAD winter blues" is a reference to a particular form of depression that takes place in the winter season. It’s characterized by signs such as low energy levels, sleeping excessively, increase in appetite (usually comfort foods), and a strong sense of non interest in activites. If you notice, most of these are symptoms of typical depression and, therefore, winter blues are no laughing matter.
What Is Light Therapy for Winter Depression?
Light therapy is an innovative and original approach, which has been recognized for its success in helping patients cope with seasonal depression. The underlying idea behind this therapy is simple yet transformative. Prolonged and consistent exposure to bright and artificial light greatly helps in regulating the distorted circadian rhythms, our body's internal clock, which typically contributes to depressive symptoms.
Light therapy doesn't involve any medical dependence and is a potent drug-free treatment option, which many around the world find greatly beneficial.
This form of therapy works by stimulating the secretion of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that impacts a person's overall mood. With constant exposure to bright light, our brain stimulates higher levels of serotonin and this greatly assists us in combatting the depressive symptoms linked to winter depression. This can be considered a natural anti-depressant.
To completely make light therapy effective for you, consider being consistent. Be committed to a daily schedule with your light therapy sessions. Start with the light therapy as the earliest possible time, when you notice the presence of winter depression symptoms. Early intervention can greatly help in the effectiveness of treatment options.
Engage in other self-care strategies into your everyday life, such as regular exercise, a wholesome diet, practicing yoga, and spend quality time with loved ones and family.
Having a clear insight into the relationship between winter and depression enables individuals to acknowledge the reality of winter blues, and embrace light therapy as a potent solution. It is important to note that this may or may not work for you, and depending on the severity of the symptoms, it is best to consult a professional for further insights.
By doing so, you can brighten your winter months and uplift your psychological well-being. So, bid goodbyes to winter depression and try to embrace the warmth of the winter season.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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