Another gray day looms large, yes it is that time of year and if you are one of the 5% of the population living in the northern hemisphere that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder your life can be pretty bleak at the moment.
The feelings usually start in the Autumn months and carry on through until Spring.
It is known that up to half a million people in the U.
S could be suffering from S.
A.
D however not everyone knows they have it as the symptoms are quite often mistaken for conditions like depression or insomnia amongst others.
It is also believed that younger women are the most likely to suffer from the disorder but that could also be because they are more likely seek medical help.
Symptoms include a general feeling of being down, irritability, mood swings, poor sleep patterns and loss of appetite which swings towards binging and over indulgence.
So how can you help alleviate the condition? There are aspects of your daily routine that you can change to offset the affects of Seasonal Affective Disorder that can really help you, such as: Getting outside as much as possible when the days are just that bit brighter as the more daylight you are subjected to the better you will feel.
If it is a sunny day all the better, just make sure you take advantage and sit in the sun for a while.
Try to make your working environment as bright possible, try moving your desk closer to the window, Take regular breaks, and if possible take your lunch break away from your office.
If you are a homeworker try to build a routine which will allow you to get out of the house at least once a day.
Using a light therapy lamp to simulate daylight.
These are fairly inexpensive and can easily be purchased on line.
If used for half an hour a day a therapy lamp can make a huge difference to your day.
Excesses is known to help if you are experiencing SAD, so depending on your age and level of fitness why not try to have a brisk walk or jog daily or you could even try your hand at yoga.
Exercises will be allow you keep yourself healthy at the same time it is also helping to alleviate your SAD symptoms.
It is a good idea to plan your week in advance as we are all guilty of putting things off, however if they have been scheduled you are more likely to see it through.
Food cravings can also be a component of Seasonal Affective Disorder, usually people crave sweet things like chocolate, biscuits and cake, if this is the case try to satisfy your appetite by substituting the sweeter foods with other carbohydrates such as pasta, or you could eat more fruit and vegetables.
In the end it all comes down to being proactive with your Disorder and tying to meet it head on, There is no one cure fits all but once you recognize that you have SAD then you can begin to treat it.