As we approach the colder months, it’s important to understand how the season change can affect your mental health, so that you can get ahead on finding solutions that work for you. These feelings typically fall into two categories that will be discussed below. Information sourced by Dr. Russ Morfit.

Winter Blues

If you notice yourself feeling off during the winter months, you coil be suffering from “winter blues.” Winter blues aren’t serious enough to warrant a clinical diagnosis, but the feelings are still extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient. Common signs of winter blues include feeling sluggish, having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and feeling down. 

What Can I Do To Help My Winter Blues?

It’s important to speak to a professional if you are experiencing the above symptoms so that you can find solutions that work for you. There are a few common things you can implement into your routine to help: exercising, meditating, and eating food rich in Vitamin D. If you’d like to get into meditation, Spectiv’s meditation videos could be a good starting point for you.  

Sad Man

Seasonal Affective Disorder 

Seasonal Affective Disorder is the more serious, extensive version of winter blues. When you have Seasonal Affective Disorder, you commonly have a low mood, have trouble finding pleasure in activities you usually enjoy, isolate yourself from others, and suffer from a lack of energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder is more common in the winter months, but it is important to note that it can also occur during the summer. 

What Can I Do To Help My Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Unfortunately, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a bit more tricky than winter blues, due to the severity of the feelings and symptoms felt. Learntolive offers three research-based solutions that could help: medication, light therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). 

Seasons

Make Winter A Season Of Encouragement

All in all, it’s crucial to discuss your feelings with a medical professional. Until then, try to implement some activation exercises that can help your winter become a season of encouragement, like taking a daily morning walk or writing down your moods throughout the day. If you’re looking for something relaxing to help, you can try watching Spectiv. There are over 50 shows featuring beautiful, diverse landscapes.