Winter is just around the corner. While some people might love the cooler temperatures and beautiful falling snow, the dark and dreary days can take a toll on the mental well-being of others. 

Seasonal depression is a very real thing. It impacts nearly 5% of adults in the United States, typically triggered by reduced sunlight in the fall and winter. Less sun can throw off your body’s natural circadian rhythms. It can also cause you to produce more melatonin and become tired more often, which can make you feel fatigued and helpless. 

It’s important to understand some of the common signs of seasonal depression if you haven’t been diagnosed. It can often be managed with the right kind of help. Don’t let the upcoming seasons negatively affect your quality of life. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent signs to look for. 

Feeling Sad

Perhaps the most common and obvious sign of seasonal depression is an overwhelming feeling of sadness. 

Everyone gets sad sometimes, but when your mood starts to impact your daily living, you should consider it a red flag that something bigger is going on. If this sadness creeps in every year when the seasons change, it’s fairly easy to determine the cause. 

In addition to feeling sad, you might also start to feel both helpless and hopeless, or even feel so low that you have thoughts of self-harm. If you start to think about hurting yourself, it’s essential to reach out for help immediately. 

Physical Symptoms

Though seasonal depression is a mental health issue, it’s not uncommon for symptoms to manifest themselves physically. 

Seasonal depression can contribute to muscle aches and pains, as well as frequent headaches and digestive issues. 

You might also find that you’re tired more often than not, but you might not be able to get a good night’s sleep. On the other hand, some people with seasonal depression sleep too much and can have a hard time getting out of bed. 

Difficulty Concentrating

Because seasonal depression can affect your mental and physical health so much, it often becomes difficult to focus on daily tasks. This kind of depression can create a lack of focus at work and at home. Unfortunately, that’s likely to fuel a vicious cycle. The less you’re able to concentrate, the more frustrated and hopeless you’re likely to feel. 

Withdrawing From People and Activities

Seasonal depression can also cause you to want to isolate. You might pull away from your inner circle, no matter how often they invite you to spend time together. Maybe you’re just feeling too tired to do anything, or maybe you’ve developed feelings of rejection. Whatever the case, withdrawing from your social support can make your symptoms even worse. 

In addition to spending less time with people, seasonal depression can cause you to lose interest in activities you might typically enjoy. Again, this can make matters worse. If you feel you have nothing to look forward to or nothing to motivate you to get through the day, it’s more likely that your depression will take over. 

What Can You Do?

While seasonal depression typically “goes away” each year, there’s no reason you should have to live with it for weeks at a time. 

Practice self-care during the fall and winter months. Get on a healthy sleep schedule, spend time with loved ones, and stay physically active. Try to spend some time outside each day to soak up as much sun as possible, or consider using light therapy to mimic the effects of sunlight. 

Speaking of therapy, talking to a mental health professional can help you better understand your seasonal depression, including where it comes from and how you can overcome it. Contact me for more information or to set up an appointment for depression counseling soon.