Recently, we have been experiencing a change in weather conditions, which is often called Summer sadness, autumn blues, or winter woes. It is to be noted that change in seasons recently causes an impact on our emotions, especially triggering the sad emotion.
According to a conducted study, with the decrease in temperature, which also results in a decrease in daylight, many Americans feel a change in their attitude. This point was also verified by certain mental health professionals, who claimed that many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD during this time of the year.
While addressing the same, a mental health therapist at Green Apple Counseling in Great Falls – Kelsey Kojetin, outlined, “We usually see it here in Montana in the late fall and early winter—actually, the whole winter.”
What exactly is SAD?
According to the health experts, SAD is commonly a seasonal disease. A person dealing with the same can feel really depressed, irritated, and prefers to remain less socially active. In addition to this, the sickness can also potentially cause severe mental health problems.
Explaining the illness, the Sober Life’s peer-recovery coach and care coordinator mentioned, “I personally struggle with seasonal depression. Right around the time that the sun starts to hide, you can just almost feel it in the air.”
In addition to this, Kuska continued and said that individuals prefer to stay at home, which can result in unhealthy behavior, often resulting in abuse. She could be quoted as saying, “I was like, oh my gosh, I’m sad. I don’t want to leave my house. And on top of that, I just really want to get high because that’s what I’m used to.”
However, it is worth noting that both experts, Kojetin and Kuska, agreed that if an individual is dealing with SAD, then he or she must put in efforts to feel something opposite from what they feel naturally. Kojetin, while explaining the same, mentioned, “If we don’t have enough sunlight exposure, which is the case here, then we want to expose ourselves to sunlight. Taking care of yourself like you would a plant, making sure you have nutrients, water, and sunlight, is very important.”
What possible steps can help in curing SAD?
As per the experts, some minor acts can also help in regulating the chemical balance of the body, which decreases the symptoms of the sickness. The minor acts could be – raising the curtains, taking a short trip to a garden or a park, or just spending some time in a place with rich sunlight.
Kuska mentioned, “We do fitness activities seven days a week. We have Zumba, volleyball, basketball—something for literally everyone.”