The holiday season is often regarded as one of the most wonderful times of the year, filled with food, festivities, and celebrations with friends and family alike. However, for some of us, the cooler weather, holiday stress, and decrease in daylight that comes with the winter months may leave us feeling blue and less engaged with life, especially if we have seasonal depression.

‍

Seasonal depression is a subtype of major depressive disorder with seasonal changes. Typically, it begins in the fall and progresses through the winter months up until the spring. Fortunately, there are ways to get ahead of your seasonal depression symptoms this year!

‍

Get more sunlight

Vitamin D is produced when the body is exposed to sunlight, so many of us tend to be at an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency during the fall and winter months. One of the leading theorized risk factors for seasonal depression is vitamin D deficiency! This season, try to take advantage of the sunlight during the day whenever possible, even if you are only able to do something as simple as a quick walk around the block.

Stay active

Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters. As such, exercising can be a great way to stay ahead of our seasonal depression and make sure we are keeping our physical health in check at the same time. If the weather allows, try a brisk walk or a jog around the block. Snowed in? Try out free exercise routines online. Keep it simple, and try to do something that fits into your schedule during this busy time of year.

Moderate indulgences

During the holiday season, it can be exceptionally easy to indulge a bit too excessively. Alcohol and sweets are more readily available at holiday gatherings and you are all the more likely to overindulge in these when you are feeling the symptoms of seasonal depression in full swing. While it is perfectly fine to enjoy your share of alcohol and sweets, overindulgence in such can contribute to symptoms of seasonal depression by negatively affecting your mood and sleep. To avoid overindulgence, be sure to consume well-balanced meals and be mindful of our intentions before consuming sweets or alcohol.

‍

Remember to give yourself grace this holiday season, get more sunlight, get plenty of exercise, and moderate how many drinks or sweet treats you consume. While these tips can assist you in managing your seasonal depression, they cannot replace professional help. Our therapists at Pacific CBT are here to happily help you! Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute video consultation.

‍