How To Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Don't put up with another winter of discontent. There are simple things you can do to lift yourself out of the doldrums.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A doctor or mental health professional
Natural sunlight
A light box
Stress reducers
Negative air ionization
A sunny vacation spot
A dawn simulator (optional)

Step 1: Know what SAD is

Know what Seasonal Affective Disorder is. Called SAD for short, it's the depression some people feel during the winter, when there are fewer daylight hours. The cause is unknown, but it's suspected that lower levels of sunshine can affect some people's body clocks, hormones, and brain chemicals.

Step 2: Determine if you have SAD

Determine if you suffer from the disorder. If you've been depressed at least two winters in a row; the depression subsides in the spring and returns in the winter; and there are no other explanations for your melancholy, you might have SAD. If your seasonal depression is severe, get evaluated by a doctor or mental health professional. You may need medication to deal with your SAD.

Step 3: Let in the light

Get as much natural light as you can: Keep windows uncovered and get outside for at least 30 minutes daily during daylight hours -- just make sure to wear sunscreen. Supplement this with light therapy: Sit in front of a light box designed to treat SAD for 30 minutes daily, first thing in the morning.

Tip: Check with a doctor before you buy a light box to make sure you choose the most effective one available for your budget.

Step 4: De-stress

Reduce stress, which can make SAD worse. Getting 30 minutes of exercise per day, spending time with loved ones, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can all help.

Step 5: Try negative air ionization

Invest in a negative ion generator, which purifies indoor air. Researchers found that sitting in a room with the generator for 30 minutes a day reduced SAD symptoms. Make sure it's high-density; low-density ones are less effective.

Step 6: Get outta town

If all else fails, jet off to a sunny spot for a week or two. Hey, it's your health we're talking about, right?

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HealthBeauty
• dealing
• handling
• coping
• winter
• seasonal
• affective
• disorder
• sun
• sunlight
• happier
• light

[floralxserenade]

How does light NOT affect how you feel? Shut up about the god thing, it's a stupid argument. The sun directly reflects how people, animals and any other living organisms feel. Think about this with your tiny little brain, when the sun comes up, you wake up. When it goes down, you sleep. For nocturnal animals, they sleep when the sun goes down. And uh...you know, if there's no "light" at all, we'd uh..all be dead. How's that for affecting how you feel?

You are what's wrong with this world.

[RandomNewb]

take more vitamin D

it makes you happier. for real.

[loveislovepeaceis]

smoke pot

[99hockeynhl]

step one: do not get sad tip:try to get laid to help did u know 90% of people got laid befor the age of 25

[finsmudge]

I can't do any of these things... I wake up and leave the house in half an hour, waking at 6:00 to 7:00... And I really think I have SAD

[twinlightrider]

Ok! i will just take two weeks off work just like that.....

[ShadeCrenshaw]

You will need:

A Better green screen.

A less awkward looking model.

An entertaining topic.

[kyriebudro]

@RandomNewb And chocolate!!!

[wingwing0404]

@RandomNewb vitamin D comes from the sun, right?

[macrent2]

Don't move to Northern Indiana that is for damn sure! I can deal with it up to the week after New Years Eve. So, it kills me (and my grades) during Spring Semester. When it gets light out at 8:45am and gets dark at 5:15pm... it could make you sick.

[xXCiNdErLlAMaNxX]

These comments are funny as hell