SAD Sufferers & The Post-Holiday Blues
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that tends to affect people during the winter as the days become shorter. SAD is not simply a bad day here and there. Those who experience SAD feel depressed most days of the week. Symptoms include low energy, feelings of hopelessness, weight gain, and trouble sleeping. Read about how post-holiday letdown may make symptoms associated with SAD worse and what you can do to try to alleviate them.
See if you can relate to this…
In the middle of the hectic holiday season, all we wanted was a few minutes of peace and quiet. However, now that the hustle and bustle of the December festivities are behind us, the silence is deafening– and somehow depressing.
The post-holiday blues are a common phenomenon, and they can hit those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) really hard. This year especially, as many of us have been forced to forego travel or gatherings with friends and loved ones, those who already suffer from seasonal depression can experience a whopping case of the post-holiday blues.
Even virtual interactions with the people we love and care about helps us feel loved and supported. The holidays give us a special reason to connect, share memories, and laugh together. Now, with the holidays behind us and our day-to-day responsibilities looming large, we are often left missing our loved ones and feeling isolated.
A virtual holiday definitely has its limitations, yet our celebrations were still greatly anticipated. Feelings of depression surface when the reality doesn’t measure up to our expectations. If you add these disappointments to the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, you may already be experiencing a very real, and in some cases debilitating, case of the post-holiday blues that may feel like it’s taking over your life.
If you think you may be experiencing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, talk to your healthcare provider about what to do. Chances are they will recommend light therapy, shown since 1980 to be among the most effective ways to alleviate the symptoms of SAD. Light therapy, when delivered through the high-quality light lamps from The SunBox Company, emit full-spectrum, non-UV light that mimics natural sunlight. Studies by the National Institutes of Health, University of Maryland and Harvard School of Medicine report that exposure to 10,000 lux for only 30 minutes of light therapy result in significant improvement in mood and relief of other symptoms of SAD. Explore the many options available to you on our product page.
The post-holiday blues are real – especially for those who are already dealing with symptoms associated with SAD. If this describes you, don’t suffer in silence. Why not try daily light therapy to see if you are one of the millions of people for whom it has been life-changing?