A guide in dealing with seasonal depression may not be useful to anyone living in a warm climate, but this goes out to all my cold weather people.
It’s a common fact that working from home can be really beneficial, but it also has its downsides. If you’re someone who struggles with mental health, you know how easy it is to hide in your home forever and pretend the world doesn’t exist. Sometimes we need a break from the stresses of the world, and it’s helpful to hide away for a little bit. But it’s also important to make sure you aren’t stuck there. So, what is SAD?
SAD is a type of depression that’s, you guessed it, seasonal. It tends to come on when the sun goes away in the colder parts of the year, and starts to come back around spring time. It usually has to do with the environment, but it can be exacerbated by outside things as well (like holidays, etc). Let’s go over some ways to manage the impact of the seasons.
This segment goes out to my neurodivergent people as well. Exercise can serve as a great outlet for processing a lot of feelings. It can help quell frustration and motivate you, and you’ll adopt some healthy habits while you find a routine that works for you.
I know exercising in the cold months can be hard, but there are some reasonably easy workouts you can do inside that fulfill the need to stay stretchy, and help manage that feeling of depression.
Some people thrive off of spontaneity, but if you’re having a hard time with executive dysfunction (executive dysfunction isn’t ADHD exclusive, and is common in people with depression) a daily routine can help a lot. You don’t have to follow it religiously, it’s just a simple roadmap of your day so you don’t have to try and figure out what to do next. It takes time to develop, but once you find a routine that fits it’s smooth sailing.
When you’re struggling to see value in anything while feeling depressed, it can make work feel impossible. You’ll need to play by your brain’s rules. Instant gratification and easy, enjoyable things are often the way to go, and the less you need to work to feel good, the more likely you are to want to feel good.
These three tips are just things I’ve found can be helpful. It’s all about taking a step back, and working with the cards you were dealt.