Suffering From Seasonal Affective Disorder? 5 Ways to Boost Mental Health
Winter weather is finally here, and while many people look forward to the frigid temps and accumulation of snow, if you find yourself feeling particularly depressed this time of year, know you’re not alone. While it is often dubbed the ‘winter blues’, feeling sad or lonely during these colder months actually has a clinical name: Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. SAD affects millions of Americans each year and can have a negative impact on emotional well-being, sleep habits, motivation, stress levels, mood, and more.
As difficult as SAD can be to deal with, we do have some good news: you can combat it. That’s right, there are ways that you can find joy, positivity, and happiness even throughout the darkest of winter days! Continue reading to learn more about SAD, ways you can help boost your mental health, and even get the scoop on our nootropics drinks.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
As mentioned before, SAD is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. While some people can experience it during the warm months, it is more commonly associated with winter due to the harsh, cold weather and the shorter days courtesy of daylight savings time. When someone is experiencing SAD, they might tend to feel tired and fatigued more often, have an irritable mood, and overall just have a lack of enthusiasm for work, hobbies, and life in general. In extreme cases, this could even lead to social isolation and feelings of hopelessness.
5 Ways to Boost Mental Health
When facing Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s important to find ways to boost your mental health to try to counter its impact. Below are a few of the suggestions our team has, including trying nootropic drinks!
#1: Stay active throughout the winter months.
It is no secret that working out and staying active is one of the best ways to combat depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Moving your body and logging even 20 minutes of activity a day can go a very long way. Exercising releases endorphins and dopamine in your brain, two chemicals that are directly responsible for giving you a happy and positive mood. If you don’t have a gym membership, consider signing up for one. Or if gyms aren’t your cup of tea, even lacing up your sneakers and going for a stroll around the block is an excellent form of exercise.
Regardless of what this physical activity looks like for you, just be sure you exercise regularly! If not daily, at least four times a week can make a huge difference. Get an accountability partner, such as a spouse or friend, to go with you to help you stay on task and motivated.
#2: Spend time with your family and friends.
When it comes to SAD, one of the major symptoms include social isolation. This can be a major red flag, as humans are social creatures who desire to interact with the people around them. Yes, even introverted people need to spend time with others on a regular basis! As tempting as it can be to cave and give into your seasonal depression, talk to someone you trust and let them know what’s going on. Communicate any negative feelings that you’re having and open up about your anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A true friend will want to be a shoulder for you to lean on and provide support however they can!
#3: Seek out natural lighting around your home or office.
During this time of year, the hours of daylight are scarce so it’s important to make the most of them. Whether you work from home or at an office, try to let as much sunshine in as possible. Open the blinds and curtains and soak up the natural Vitamin D. On the weekends, seek out sunny spots in your home to relax and read or participate in your other hobbies. If the weather is mild, take the opportunity to open the windows for a few hours and let fresh air come into your space. These measures might seem simple but they really can help boost your mental wellness.
#4: Keep a journal to help you process your thoughts.
For many people, keeping a journal can be an excellent way to process negative thoughts and find your center. Journaling can help you to put your negative thoughts and emotions into perspective, identify possible depression triggers, and prioritize the different problems that are currently bothering you. Sometimes, even simply taking 5-10 minutes at the end of each day to outline your thoughts can help to ease anxiety and alleviate depression symptoms. Whether you make a note on your phone or prefer an old school pen and notebook, give it a try and see how it works for you!
#5: Give nootropic drinks a try.
Last but certainly not least on our list is to try all natural nootropics. Here at STACKS, our nootropic drinks are loaded with a wide range of excellent herbs and plant extracts that specifically target the brain to help bolster one’s mood and cognitive performance. For example, L-Theanine is a great choice for soothing anxiety, helping with depression, and aiding in restful and restorative sleep. Rhodiola Rosea is another great herb and STACKS ingredient that can help combat depression, improve emotional stability, and increase motivation.
Try STACKS Nootropics
If you’re eager to get back up and feel your best, don’t wait any longer - give STACKS a chance! Our specially formulated powder simply needs to be added to a glass of water once a day and it turns into the perfect nootropic drink. The portable packets can be taken with you on the go, making it easy to drink on your lunch break at work or if you need to travel out of the town for a holiday gathering.
Place your first order today and begin seeing just how much of a difference STACKS can make for your Seasonal Affective Disorder. STACKS, when combined with these other mental health boosting can really have a positive impact and help you to make sure that these winter months don’t just simply pass you by.