Why You Should Find Love To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder

“I’m wrapping myself in my own personal cloud. Just being one with the weather. Winter calls for hibernation.”

Do these sentiments ring true for you? Has the change in season, weather or the amount of sunshine you get affected your mood and changed your routine? Does it make you feel down more than it usually does? Or, maybe you’ve wondered if it’s something deeper than what the internet calls as “summertime sadness”

Increased lethargy, loss of interest in favorite activities and a general feeling of sadness are but a few of the typical signs of depression. And when you cross that with another vital factor — the expected change in seasons, you will find Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

While this condition is managed through more sophisticated treatments, there are steps you can do on your own to regain balance in mood and motivation throughout the year. And by doing so, you can aid in fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness.

What Is Depression

A type of mood disorder, depression is described as persistent feelings of sadness, apathy or hopelessness that disrupts a person’s everyday routine. It differs from simply feeling down because depression doesn’t need to have a specific trigger for it to occur.

Remember the famous song lyric “Bluer than blue, sadder than sad”? If you feel that way, maybe it’s something more serious than you’ve first believed.

And, no, you’re not alone in this, research proves.

Depression is a fairly common illness as well, with the statistics reporting more than 300 million people of all ages, worldwide, affected by it. Further, it’s symptoms can manifest beyond the mind, i.e. physical pain.

Who Are SAD

When this complex illness happens during the same season each year, for at least two years, it can be considered as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

This type of depression typically begins during fall and continues well into the winter months — aptly named winter-onset SAD. Another type can also happen in spring and early summer, although it is less common — the summer-onset SAD.

Feeling SAD this season? So do millions of others.

Data shows that about 10 million Americans have SAD. The symptoms they experience also occur in major depression, and they may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.

Some of these, grouped by season type, are:

• Winter depression
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Tiredness or low energy
• Summer depression
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety

While the cause of SAD isn’t fully understood yet, there are promising theories currently being studied in the field. A consolation we can offer, however, is the wide range of available treatments for it.

How To Deal With SAD

The first step you must take at this point is to consult your doctor. They then will recommend a program most suitable for you, requiring either psychological and/or pharmacological treatments.

But also remember that you are part of the equation, and there are things you can do to either prevent it or treat it!

Exhibit number one: creating social situations.

Social withdrawal is one of the major complications of SAD. Fortunately, this is one case you can handle yourself. What else could you possibly need if you have a supportive circle surrounding you?

An expert advice to combat the overwhelming feeling of simply hunkering down during the cold weather is to push your hand into situations where you don’t have to focus on yourself. Connecting with family, close friends and other people who understand your situation can be of great help.

Take full advantage of the winter weather by setting up an event with others. The effort will pull you out of unhealthy introspection and most likely lift your spirits.

And if you are looking for the best ways to find fun without having to commit to anything long term, then a love life could be the best option for you.

Where Dating Comes In

Yes, you heard that right — dating can help you weather through SAD.

We acknowledge that there is a negative stigma connected to depression that can dissuade those with the diagnosis from dipping into the dating pool. But isn’t it giving yourself agency to face the illness head-on, when you choose to do something it’s pushing you not to?

Today, there are more convenient ways to find love, including the use of dating apps and matchmaking services. If it’s too much for you to frequent places with a crowd, that’s fine! You can opt for one of the fastest-growing economies — online dating.

Get on with the times! How about logging on to Facebook to find love?

Not yet convinced? Well, here are some of the ways dating can help you cope with SAD.

1. Introducingsomething new to your life. Experts say that challenging the brain to do something different triggers chemical changes that may lead to a better disposition.

When you venture out on dating, you are effectively breaking the monotony in your life. Meeting a new person will allow you to exert effort and possibly have something that can give you joy and satisfaction once again.

It is also important to note that you don’t have to be alone in this trying time. There are people who can and will understand you.

2. Going out. Spending time outdoors is an easy way to boost your “happy hormones,” such as serotonin and endorphins.

Serotonin primarily helps in regulating mood, while endorphins work as the body’s natural pain reliever. Dating activities you can try that will increase the production of such chemicals include strolling to see beautiful sights, eating, and even sex.

If any of those activities feel too much for you, you don’t have to fret. Studies show that even simply being attracted to someone can promote the release of oxytocin, perfectly named as the “love hormone,” another of the natural mood-boosters.

3. Setting goals. Achievements will no longer look as if they are impossible to realize when you have an extra reason to do things.

Dating comes with a set of expectations — and you can use this to your advantage by creating attainable goals that will improve your overall well-being.

Always wanted to try that sport? Learn more about it with your partner before taking a class. The tip is to set your eyes on small steps, then on another one, and another. Before you know it, you’ve hit a list of achievements and feeling a lot better about yourself.

Depression and seasonal affective disorder are real illnesses that shouldn’t be taken lightly. And it’s also important to know that help is always available. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, you can learn to manage it.

Remember that your worth doesn’t change with depression. And with a positive mindset, your life will eventually get better.