For most people around this time of the year, it’s all about getting into the Christmas spirit, making happy memories, eating tons of food, being surrounded by your loved ones, and reflecting on the past year. Although, some people don’t see this time of the year as a fun season, and actually get seasonal depression, which is known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Can you blame them? The days do get shorter, the weather is colder, you can’t spend too much time outside without getting sick, and the roads are hockey arenas for cars to slip and slide on. Roughly five percent of adults suffer from SAD and it usually lasts for 40 percent of the year according to www.psychiatry.org. If anyone reading this is suffering from SAD, there are ways you can embolize this feeling during as quoted “the most wonderful time of the year”. 

According to www.nimh.nih.gov, there are multiple ways you can slowly but surely get rid of seasonal depression. Light therapy is a great way to lower SAD. Light therapy can be a replacement for natural sunlight since on most winter days it’s cloudy, and there are very few days where you can get sunlight. Patients would sit in front of a giant, bright light box from 30 to 45 minutes daily to get a replica of sunlight first thing in the morning. It is known to be a safe treatment and is possibly the most effective way to fight seasonal depression. A cheaper alternative to this would be taking in a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D comes from the sunlight, so buying Vitamins from your local market would be a more affordable way to slowly deal with SAD. 

There are also medications that can help with SAD. Specifically, Antidepressant medications will help change how the brain functions with mood and stress. Still citing from www.nimh.nih.gov, they stated that it usually takes four to eight weeks for the medication to work. Antidepressant medication will help with your concentration, mood, and sleep overtime. If you’re interested in taking this medication, you can consult your doctor in order to pick which is best for you. 

I’m not a professional mental health doctor or anything like that, but I think I can give out a few tips as well. People wonder why I’m always full of energy and positive, and it’s simply because I take a few minutes out of my day to do these simple yet very effective ways to keep my mental health in check. I love to meditate and pray everyday. This will help you boost your focus and keep a clear mind. Whatever religion you’re a part of, it’s important to pray. Be mindful of the things you have and learn to realize you’ll need help from God. As humans we can only do so much if not basically anything at all without God. Journaling will also be effective in clearing your mind. Write down your thoughts and write down what you’re grateful for as well, as this will be mindful of the little things in life. I think it’s super important to always appreciate the little things in life, and to keep your health in check. I hope this article helps whoever is reading it. Don’t forget to do whatever satisfies your mind and soul as well.