Why Seasonal Depression Affects Our Sleep and How To Fight It

With an increase in melatonin comes a decrease in serotonin (the happy hormone), which causes you to feel sluggish, anxious, and depressed, and you may even have trouble sleeping. All of these are common symptoms of the appropriately acronym-ed disorder, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Unfortunately, we can’t control the seasons, but we do have the power to control how our bodies react to them. So now that you know you’re not going crazy, you may be wondering how can you help your body from wanting to press snooze this winter?

Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D

For starters, vitamin D can really provide a boost! Natural sunlight is the best way for our skin to absorb D vitamins. I know it’s a struggle to get outside when it’s freezing and gloomy, but your skin can still soak up that vitamin D on cloudy days, so try going for a walk around the block a few times a week. The crisp, cool air will be sure to wake you up and put a pep in your step!

If it’s absolutely unbearable to be outside where you live, you can still get your daily dosage of vitamin D by eating foods such as egg yolks and fatty fish; if you’re not a fan of these, then simply take a vitamin D3 supplement daily. Love Wellness’ #Mood Pills are also a helpful supplement for battling the blues and enhancing your mood.

It's All About Routine

Another useful tip for battling too much sleep in the winter is sticking to a sleep routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is super helpful. Aim for only the necessary eight hours of sleep a night. As soon as your alarm goes off (make sure it’s far from your bed so you’re not tempted to hit snooze), wake up and be productive! Diving head first into a habit tracker can help guide you into the day as you wake.

Eat The Good Stuff

Your diet is also a factor in boosting your energy during this time. Make sure your plates are healthy, balanced, and super colorful by filling them with vegetables and fruits, and go for the lighter meals that are easier to digest.

You should also work some exercise into your schedule — even if it’s just for 20 minutes — three days a week to get your body moving. If you’re still having trouble waking your body up, then opt for a light therapy lamp, which is used to mimic outdoor light and help ease the symptoms of SAD.

It’s inevitable to want to just stay in cozy PJs, snuggled up with a blanket all day. But with a few tweaks to your daily routine, you can survive the winter season and win the battle of the snooze button!