4 Ways to Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder

With the changing season, comes shorter days, more darkness, and another round of SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder is never easy but when we combine that with the workload of online university and a global pandemic, this winter might feel extra challenging. Here are four ways that might help fight off those awful winter blues.

Get as much sunlight as possible

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Leaving the house when it’s bitterly cold can feel like an uphill battle but on those especially sunny days, even standing in the sun for a few minutes can be a real game-changer! Bundle up, grab some hot tea or coffee, and try and get a bit of sun on your face. If getting outside isn’t going to work for you, try opening all the blinds and curtains or sitting close to a window so you can still feel a bit of that sunshine! If you do have a good space to sit and feel the sun, try closing your eyes and breathing to a count of four while soaking in the sun. Any amount of sun can help ease some of the impacts from the darkness and cold.

Try some gentle exercises

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When you’re feeling really down and depressed, a high-intensity cardio workout might not be accessible for you (if it is then take full advantage!) but gentle movements can still make a difference in your mood and overall health. When you feel like you can’t stare at your computer screen for another second longer, try going for a short walk, do some easy stretching, or walk up and down the stairs a few times. If you can build exercise more regularly into your schedule, you can release those feel-good chemicals your brain might really need. The winter can also be a good time to try some different activities! Grab your skates and hit the ice or rent a pair of snowshoes and venture out into nature. Any way to get your body moving and hopefully feeling a little bit better.

Give yourself some Me time

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The closer we get to exams, the more it feels like our whole life becomes about school. It’s easy to lose ourselves in all the studying, writing and reading. Try to give yourself a bit of time each day to spend with yourself. If you’re not sure what to do with this time, it can be helpful to journal, meditate, or do something creative, and/or whatever else it is that you like to do when you’re alone. Checking in with yourself and giving yourself an opportunity to connect with your emotions can be an effective way to make sure your needs are being met during this difficult time.

Reach out for support

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SAD can make us want to isolate. It’s understandable that you might want to hide away but it can be helpful to reach out to those around us. It can be as simple as sending a quick message to a friend or reaching out to your parents for support. If friends and family aren’t accessible, try finding a local support group. A lot of support groups (like Mood Disorders Ottawa) have moved their support groups to a virtual platform. You can also access the counselling services offered by your University. It can be difficult to express the more painful emotions but reaching out and feeling less alone can-do wonders.