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Seasonal Depression? Get Your Positivity Back
04/11/2024, Dr David Della Morte Canosci, Palazzo FiuggiSeasonal depression is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This implies mood changes occurring during certain times of the year, mainly autumn and spring.
If your seasonal depression is most prevalent during the winter, symptoms will normally begin to manifest themselves in autumn, continue into winter, and slowly start to improve with the arrival of spring. The second type, spring depression, is not as common, which is why researchers have little understanding of its causes.
Seasonal depression: Symptoms
Although they vary from individual to individual, the general symptoms are as follows:
- Low general mood, sense of sadness and/or persistent hopelessness
- Less or no interest in usual activities
- Difficulty conducting daily routine
- Energy changes, including lethargy or restlessness
- Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating or memorising information
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain or loss
- Unusual agitation or irritability
- Feelings of anger or aggression
- Thoughts of death
In both cases, whether related to winter depression or spring depression, the causes are attributable to the production of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers responsible for the regulation of mood, emotions, and other bodily processes.
Depressive disorders can be traced to the production of serotonin and melatonin because, as the amount of sunlight per day changes, so do the levels of these two substances excreted by the brain.
Generally, serotonin levels decrease during the winter due to fewer hours of sunlight. On the contrary, melatonin levels increase, causing changes in both the heart rhythm and the circadian rhythm.
According to researchers, this is why those who suffer from seasonal winter depression tend to feel a sense of fatigue and lethargy, while those suffering from seasonal spring depression become more irritable and experience a sleep deficit as a result of lower levels of melatonin due to the increase in natural light during the summer.
A lack of sleep can exacerbate depression symptoms.
Seasonal depression: Remedies
Now that we’ve talked about hypotheses related to the causes and symptoms of seasonal depression, we will discuss some remedies that can lead to improvement. Keep in mind that it is strongly recommended to consult a specialist for help.
- Practice good sleep hygiene: it is recommended that you sleep in a dark, cool room with blackout curtains and clean, insulated sheets to help the body stay cool. This is especially advised if you suffer from seasonal spring depression.
- Exercise: physical activity is very beneficial to the body’s equilibrium and can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress.
- Try meditation: meditation is an activity that has shown to help people cope with unwanted and difficult emotions. It may also help to write your moods in a journal.
- Stick to or modify a routine as the seasons change to boost morale. This can include partaking in activities for strengthening or acquiring new skills or planning leisure time to ensure a more satisfying daily life.
Following a balanced diet is another piece of advice that the experts at Palazzo Fiuggi would like to pass onto you. As their experts and medical staff point out, nutrition plays a fundamental role in health.
Consuming the right nutrients can have positive effects on mood, especially in relieving irritability.
If this blog has got you interested in starting your wellness journey call our wellness advisors at 020 7843 3597 or enquire here. |
| About The Author Dr. David Della Morte Canosci is the lead doctor at Palazzo Fiuggi. An Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Dr. Della Morte Canosci is a specialist in the field of senescence, metabolic, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. His research focuses on clarifying the pathological pathways that link metabolic and cognitive diseases with the ageing process. He is currently studying the genetic factors that influence vascular ageing and cognition. |  |
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