Since the clocks went back this weekend I thought this post would be apt, considering that a change in times and seasons can bring on the dreaded S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder is something that’s incredibly common but not often spoken about. It’s something I’ve experienced myself the past couple of years and can put a huge dampener on what’s supposed to be a pretty exciting time of the year.
The winter blues can hit you when you least expect them, which happened to me the last two years. You’re going along, minding your own business, enjoying Autumn, then BAM! Suddenly you find yourself feeling lethargic, lonely and all out-of-sorts for no apparent reason. The trigger for me seems to be the change in daylight savings. That one pesky little hour that the clocks go back by in October seems to completely send my body and mind out of whack! The sudden arrival of dark mornings and dark evenings makes me feel pretty darn glum, and I find myself wanting to hibernate until the warmer weather reappears.
Going out can feel like a mammoth task, my stress levels seem to increase tenfold and I find myself feeling lonely and down when I’ve no reason to. Not a great combination to say the least! I thought I’d share some of my experiences with the winter blues as I know a lot of us seem to be going through it. This isn’t the usual kind of topic you’d see on Who What Claire, and by no means am I in a position to dish out medical advice, but I figured this could be helpful! I wanted to share some ways that helped me combat it as well as a few tips that I’ll be trying out this time round to try and keep S.A.D at bay!
Zebra Mug – Sara Miller London (gifted)
Sheepskin Slippers – Celtic & Co (gifted)
This may seem a tad excessive, but S.A.D can be triggered by the lack of sunlight, so what better way to combat it than a trip to sunnier climes?! If you know you struggle this time of year, then maybe consider planning some of your holidays in Autumn or Winter, and heading to somewhere a little warmer. A dose of vitamin D will do wonders for your mood, and help to break up the season with some sunshine! I’m definitely going to be keeping this in mind in the new year when we start thinking about trips away in 2020!
Similarly to point 6, planning exciting things in advance will give you something to focus on and get you through the months when you’re struggling with S.A.D. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a holiday, but just something you know you’ll be excited about! It could be a day out with the girls to celebrate something special, a shopping trip or a spa day – something that will keep you going that you can look forward to when you’re feeling down. I’ve been doing this a lot more lately as I’ve found I’m best when I have lots happening. Having plans gives me a feeling of purpose and helps me to focus on what’s ahead.
Finally, and probably the most difficult, is to open up and tell someone how you are feeling. Not everyone ‘gets’ it, but someone will, and when you tell the right person what you’re going through, that alone can make you feel so much better! Whether it’s your partner, a parent, a friend or even a doctor, speaking up can feel like a weight has been lifted. I made the mistake of keeping it to myself a couple of years back, and it felt incredibly lonely and confusing as I had no idea what was going on with me. I’ve since learned to talk to others about it, and it’s helped me massively. You’ll also be surprised to find out how many others are feeling the exact same. And of course if things are really bad, speak to your GP and seek some professional advice for managing your symptoms.
READ: 20 Things My Twenties Taught Me
As I said, by no means am I a professional here, but speaking from personal experience, I’ve found many of these to really help me. I’d love to hear if you have any other tips for coping with S.A.D this time of year. Slide in to my DMs with your thoughts and advice on this topic as I’m sure there are so many other ways to ease the dreaded winter blues!
C x