While many experience the “winter blues,” it could actually be more. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression linked to seasonal changes, typically occurring in the fall and winter when there is less sunlight and lifting in the spring and summer, explains Precise Behavioral Health Executive Vice President Luke Raymond:
“It is really associated with exposure to sunlight. During this time of the year, it is dark so much; thankfully we just had the Winter Solstice, so our days are starting to get a little bit longer, but what happens is people will hull up. There is a lot of biomechanics associated with that. Things like reduction in vitamin D consumption. What we really notice is changes in our mood and changes in our energy level. This can be exacerbated or made a little bit worse based on the social and cultural things that are happening this time of the year with the holidays,” states Raymond.
“When you think in terms of how to handle seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder, getting as much sunlight, getting outside as much as you can, and making sure you maintain as much physical activity as you can,” Raymond adds.
Raymond says just walking fifteen to twenty minutes, three times a week can really boost a persons’ mental health.
