(Submitted by Courtney Rice on behalf of Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services)
Do you ever notice feelings of sadness after the hustle of the holiday season? Maybe you’re sleeping more and feeling less active in January and February, or noticed difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? This could be due to the changes in temperature we experience every winter.
The winter season can cause changes to our body’s natural clock, also known as our circadian rhythms. This helps us to regulate our mood and sleep, so we may start to notice changes in our energy levels and emotions during colder months.
This is common for our area because in the wintertime, we see the sun less, especially after daylight savings. Serotonin is known as a “feel-good” hormone and can help combat anxiety and depression. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced in response to darkness and helps us sleep.
The lack of sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin and increase in melatonin and may cause individuals to experience symptoms from Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD). SAD is a type of depression that typically starts in late fall or early winter and goes away during the spring and summer.
There may also be different genetic factors that make an individual more likely to experience SAD including geographical locations, genetics, or having a mental health condition such as major depression or bipolar disorder.
This can be especially difficult to manage after the holiday season is over. Without any family gatherings or fun holiday traditions to look forward to, most people find themselves in more of a funk in January and February. It can be difficult to find engaging activities this time of year by spending more time indoors. But there are ways to help combat the winter blues during the cold months:
- Follow a routine: Create a daily schedule for your tasks and activities with a healthy balance of work and fun. Try to avoid creating a schedule or routine that is overwhelming or unrealistic.
- Keep healthy sleeping, exercising, and eating habits: Taking care of our physical health will help to manage our mental health. Be sure to eat nutritious foods, stay as active as possible during the day, and go to sleep at the same time each evening.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Connect with your family and friends through positive interactions to help improve mood. Be mindful of individuals in your life who may “drag you down” or display constant negative attitudes around you.
- Focus on you: Take time for yourself and have quality alone time. Relax by reading a book, listening to a podcast, or practicing meditation. To listen to the Wood County ADAMHS’ podcast, Stigma Busters, visit https://stigmabusters.buzzsprout.com.
If you need mental health crisis support, dial the Wood County Crisis Line at 419-502-HOPE or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also text the Crisis Text Line by messaging “4HOPE” to 741-741. Help is here. Learn more about mental health resources by visiting www.wcadamh.org.
