Let's Talk About SAD

If you are one of the people that finds the change in the season depressing and debilitating you will know that it is rarely discussed and hard to find help with. Mostly affecting people as the season changes from summer to winter it can also occur as winter changes to summer. Somehow the body fails to get in sync with the new times, the new daylight hours and the different temperature.

Winter is notoriously bad as the lack of sunlight, the wet grey days and the cold temperatures all trigger the typical symptoms of low energy, lack of concentration and changes to sleep patterns.. So what can you do to help?

These top tips are recommended by the Sleep Charity-

Creating and following a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends, to help regulate your internal clock

Try to get some morning light exposure – a walk outside or sitting near a window can help boost mood and alertness

Wind Down – make it a routine, encourage screen-free time before bed and calming activities like a relaxing bath, reading or gentle stretching

Ensure your bedroom is a sleep-friendly environment – cool, dark, and quiet spaces support better rest

Talking about how SAD makes you feel and what you have found that helps can also help you and may well help those to whom you speak as they too may be suffering in silence with the same symptoms as you.

If you would like more information on this subject this website has a lot of useful information:

https://sleepeducation.org/how-seasonal-affective-disorder-disrupts-sleep/