Good afternoon!  Thank you for taking the time to read my Self Help Tips Blog.  Today I would like to share several tips that you can use to treat seasonal affective disorder.  Being from Minnesota, seasonal depression is something that I have struggled with in the past, and it CAN be conquered.

The “winter blues” can cause you to be lethargic, oversleep, lack energy and feel generally depressed.  Walking outside into a grey, bitterly cold landscape doesn’t help the situation, either.  Thankfully, with a little bit of planning and self help you can brighten up your day. (Pun intended)

Scientific studies have shown that seasonal depression is caused in part by serotonin deficiency.  To combat this problem, it is a good idea to take a melatonin supplement before going to bed.  The body converts melatonin into serotonin as you sleep, and melatonin is actually used as a sleep aid.  However, be sure to limit your melatonin intake to one dose per day.  Otherwise, you might have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and that would completely defeat the purpose.

Using an air purifier with ionizing capabilities while you sleep has also been shown to treat winter depression.  Breathing purified, ionized air will allow your body to work more efficiently in creating serotonin.  The ionized air contains electrically-charged particles that will also help to brighten your mood once you’ve awoken from your slumber.

Many doctors have also begun to prescribe SSRI medications to treat winter depression.  A natural alternative to these expensive and often harmful medications is the herb St. John’s Wort.  This herb has been prescribed by doctors in Germany for decades and has recently caught on here in the United States.  Several studies have found it to be effective in treating mild to moderate depression with little to no side effects.  St. John’s Wort is available over the counter at most drug and health food stores.

Another great way to treat winter depression is with dawn simulation.  I recommend sitting in front of a full-spectrum lamp for 30-45 minutes per day, first thing in the morning.  I found a full-spectrum LED lamp at a local hardware store for $10.  This therapy will help boost Vitamin D levels in the body and tune your biological clock.  Dawn simulation has proven to be one of the most effective ways to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Winter depression can drain the energy and motivation out of anyone, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  By utilizing the above techniques, you can make a difference.