The Winter months are coming, and if you're anything like me you'll be missing the Summer sunshine!
Many people across the UK suffer with SAD when the Winter months roll around. SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it is a type of depression that depends on the season.
Just like other forms of depression, this condition includes symptoms such as low moods, feelings of despair and irritability. SAD is specifically affected by the seasons, particularly the colder weather and the shorter days.
In this blog post, I want to discuss a few ways to battle SAD in the Winter months. As with any mental health concern, everyone will be different.
However, there are a few ways to prevent and ease SAD as we come up to the Autumn and Winter months.
If you feel like you're really struggling with SAD or your mental health in general, check out the Mind website for plenty of help and advice.
1. Find some fun Winter outfits
I don't know about you, but I always feel better about life when I have clothes that make me feel good! The right outfit can help you feel confident, happy and even fashionable.
If you have the budget, try to find some fun Winter outfits that make you feel good. This might mean a retail therapy trip or searching second-hand stores for the best deals. Anything that will give you a little lift during the Winter months!
Choosing some fun Winter outfits can also help you look forward, instead of looking back at your favourite Summer outfits.
You can also use the clothes already in your wardrobe to create new Winter outfits, such as wearing tights with your favourite dress.
2. Meet up with friends and family
One of the best ways to battle SAD in the Winter months is to meet up with loved ones and surround yourself with people.
Try to prioritise catch-ups with your friends and family, even if that just means a phone call or a quick trip to the pub.
You might not want to go out as much during the Winter months, but that doesn't mean you can't chat with loved ones and enjoy some social time.
3. Write down the positives of Winter
Writing down the positives of Winter can help you feel happy about the Winter months to come, instead of dreading them.
It's important to think about what there is to look forward to, such as nights in, snuggling under blankets, cosy pub trips, long Winter walks and snow days.
From Christmas to Bonfire Night, there are so many fun things to do in Winter- and it can be helpful to write them down so that you have a list ready for when you're feeling down.
4. Look after your physical health
There are a few ways to physically battle SAD in the Winter months. It's important to make sure you're topping up your vitamin D, especially if you live in the UK or you don't have any sunny foreign trips planned.
You should also try to get sun whenever you can. Just because it's Winter, it doesn't mean we don't have some sunshine occasionally! Make the most of this with plenty of time outside whenever possible.
Many people also recommend using SAD lamps. These stimulate artificial sunlight and help your brain to release serotonin. This in turn helps you feel happier, and it can help to improve your mood during the darker months.
Everyone is different, but using an SAD lamp during the daylight hours could help battle SAD in the Winter months.
5. Go on solo dates
The Winter months are the perfect time for a fun solo date. It's great to go out with friends and family, but it's also important to value your own time too.
I love to take myself on solo dates, especially when the weather isn't very nice. You could take a good book along to a local café for a few hours or go and try out a new restaurant for the evening.
It's so important to find things you enjoy during the Winter months. Book a few solo dates into the diary so that you have something to look forward to before the Winter blues hit.
How do you battle SAD in the Winter months? Let me know your suggestions in the comments!
Love, Sarah xoxoxo
