I love the summer, because I can go swimming in the hot air quickly warms me. But summer is ending, the seasons are changing, but have you noticed a change in your mood lately? It could be due to Seasonal Affective Depression or otherwise know as SAD. The irony right! SAD is a changing of the mood due to the season change. The disease affects millions of people each year, the onset is beginning of Fall and ends toward the beginning of Spring. The cause is unknown by scientists and maybe due to possible hormone changes. However, SAD is more common in women than men according to Web.MD and can affect your relationships at school, work, or your home life. Web. MD list these warnings signs and symptoms as the following:
Less energy
Trouble with focusing
Feeling tried
Increased alone time
weight gain
When seeking treatment, waking up earlier to enjoy more natural sun light, buying a light box, seeking individual therapy to assess current levels of stress, or antidepressants are all helpful. Even eating a balance meal and exercise is a good start for balancing your mood. If you are suffering from SAD, this is also a time for extreme self care! Do a spa day off from work. I know what you are thinking, I cant take the day off because without feeling guilty. I like to call it "Overextension shaming", this is a totally made up term by me, associated with bragging about your poor work boundaries with colleagues. Stop spreading this myth and just like a cold or the flu people will stop catching it and believing it. Protect your mood and stop over feeling guilty about that new project beginning completed early. It will be completed by the deadline, so throw away that need to stay in the office longer. Monitor your work balance and spend time fostering relationships that are reciprocal.
Have more questions? Tune in to The Lanada Williams Show every Tuesday at 6pmest with your questions about life, love, and relationship on blis. fm/lanadawillams.com or find more counseling tips at www.afamilysolutions.com