Wednesday, February 26, 2014

There's a disorder for that

It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it's considered a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer.

So for everyone who's breaking their relationships or getting in fights and just feel like killing someone for no reason we're here to help. Actually I'm really lazy the Huffington Post is here to help with 6 ways to defeat SAD.

Here's how to defeat Seasonal Affective Disorder:
  • Get exposure to outdoor light. Yes, even though its cold, get outside and walk for at least 10 minutes a day. Light enters the brain through the eyes and impacts serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that play a role in mood.
  • Get moving. Head to the gym and exercise. Aerobic exercise in particular stimulates endorphins and can help you to feel better. It's also a good way to burn stress and if you're exercising in a gym or part of a group it provides social interaction which also helps with depression.
  • Get out of town. A weekend trip to warmer climates can work wonders. I advise all my patients who are prone to SAD to plan, if affordable, a weekend getaway to Florida or the Caribbean. It gives the person something to look forward to when they might otherwise dwell on the long cold winter and it provides a healthy dose of sunshine and warmth.
  • Get closer to the window. If possible arrange your office so that your desk is closer to the outside and to sunshine. This will provide natural light which will also help to enhance your mood. If this isn't possible consider a light therapy box. This is a device that creates an artificial light mimicking natural light.
  • Get social. As with other mood disorders surrounding yourself with understanding, supportive, and encouraging people can help lift your spirits. Find people whom you trust and lean on them for support and plan such activities as movies and dinners.
  • Change your attitude about winter. Rather than dreading it and seeing it as a long endless season, see it as an opportunity to get involved with new activities. Perhaps skiing, sledding, or ice skating are fun activities worth trying with your friends. Embrace those things that are only available for a limited time every year.

No comments:

Post a Comment