From Woman's World · Kristina Mastrocola, Katie Alberts, Ann Green · · 1m 10s
7 Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments for Winter Mood Boost
Morning light, hot baths, and social connections ease winter depression symptoms.
In brief
Morning light, hot baths, and social connections ease winter depression symptoms. Seasonal affective disorder treatments like light therapy and warm baths improve winter mood without medication. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Morning light therapy
Morning light helps reset your circadian rhythm to ease seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
“Even brief exposure to bright light shifts our circadian cycle earlier, which can offer relief from winter symptoms like lethargy, sadness and cravings and enhance deep sleep”
Light therapy box
Using a 10,000 lux light box for 30 minutes daily reduces seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
“Newer styles cost under $20 and look like desk lamps, so you can sip coffee or check email while soaking in the benefits”
Hot bath benefits
Hot baths strengthen cardiovascular health and improve sleep for seasonal affective disorder relief.
“Hot water stresses and strengthens the cardiovascular system the way a workout would, giving us the benefits of regular moderate exercise”
Warm feet trick
Tucking extra-cozy blankets around feet improves sleep quality for seasonal affective disorder.
“More than 95 percent of the body’s calming chemical serotonin is found in the gut”
Dance and movement
Physical activity boosts gut bacteria balance to help manage seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
“Bundling up for a walk in nature with a friend ticks even more boxes”
Social connections
Quick Zoom chats and compliments improve feelings of warmth and connection during winter.
“Regular chats not only help heal loneliness, they make us feel physically warmer”
Warming rituals
Creating cozy routines with tea, fire or candles improves winter mood without medication.
“Lighting two or three unscented taper candles while making breakfast makes a winter morning feel romantic instead of bleak”
When to seek help
Persistent sadness, sleep changes or hopelessness require medical attention for seasonal affective disorder.
“And of course, if you feel hopeless or think about self-harm, seek immediate help”
Here's the gist
Seasonal affective disorder treatments like light therapy and warm baths improve winter mood without medication.
