The winter holidays may also be accompanied by Seasonal Affective Disorder. These are strategies that can help with managing seasonal depression.
Seasonal Depression
Alongside the winter holiday season, many people also struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Daylight savings time, shorter days, inclement weather, and less time spent outside can have a negative impact on mood. Low levels of vitamin D, a lack of sunlight, and lack of exercise can contribute to or exacerbate worsening mood.
However, in addition to addressing these factors, it is important to recognize the seasonal nature of the human experience. Engaging with more holistic lifestyle changes that are better suited to the winter season can help you to improve your experience of it.
Adapting yourself to winter
Winter is a time of hibernation. Although we are very separated from the mammals that hibernate, all mammals experience changes this time of year, including aspects like weight gain or feeling the need to sleep longer.
Winter may be a time that is better suited for gentle movement exercises, including stretching, weight lifting, yoga and tai chi. It is a time of year for increasing journaling, prayer, and meditation, as well as spiritual exploration exercises.
When it comes to ketamine infusions, it can be helpful for some patients to space maintenance infusions more closely together. Whereas you might be able to go six or eight weeks between infusions during the summer, you may only be able to go three or four weeks between infusions during the darker parts of winter.
It can be helpful to simply understand and acknowledge that the mood changes you are experiencing are seasonal, and not that you’re suddenly entering a worse stage of depression. These changes in mood may be part of a natural rhythm, instead of indicating that what you were doing before is failing. It can be helpful to incorporate holistic changes, or to shorten your ketamine maintenance schedule around the winter season, rather than changing your chronic long-term doses of other medications.
About Us
Wells Medicine is a Houston-based practice designed to provide meaningful care for mental health. Providing targeted interventional treatments for Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and other conditions, with Ketamine Treatments, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, TMS, and Nitrous-Oxide Treatments. Focused on comprehensive care and integration with Psychiatry, Psychology, and Support Services. We are evidence-based, patient-focused and mission-driven.
The content here is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. For the details of your specific medical conditions and treatments consult your doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.
