Anxiety and Dealing With SAD

It’s been a while – and well, I can’t say I’m surprised.
It’s about that time of year where I feel the worst and turn into a recluse.
I get quiet, I get sad, I get anxious and can’t sleep.
You know, the usual.
The seasons start changing and things get darker and my mind and body take control over me and make me feel sad, alone and a real sense of dread/impending doom.
I actually hate it.
It makes me feel like I can’t be alone with my thoughts… because they’re just constantly negative.
And with the world the way it is lately it’s hard to see a ton of positive – but I do try.

I am sure everyone reading this knows what Anxiety is but some of you may not know what SAD is so I’ll tell you!

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.

SAD aka Seasonal Affective Disorder

And it’s about that time.
The sun sets a little earlier and the seasons start to change and you start to feel a little off…. and then it just won’t stop.
That’s where I’m at.
Here’s other symptoms that can help you identify.

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  ( https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 )

I literally woke up this morning and the first thought in my head was “I’m gonna die one day”…. and let me tell you – that’s not a normal thought in my head.
It’s that feeling of dread and impending doom.
And how do you fix it?
Well… let’s figure it out.

Sometimes I can do yoga or go to the gym.
Sometimes I can play with my dogs or watch a funny movie.
Sometimes you just cry.
And it’s all okay – but sometimes it’s worse and maybe you need to talk to someone AND THAT IS OKAY TOO!
There are things – like UV lamps – that can help with SAD and believe me… about this time every year I think about buying one.
I even have one saved to my cart!
https://amzn.to/3lwBwOB – It’s a Light Therapy lamp on Amazon.

It’s pricy – but you know what, feeling like this makes anything worth it!
Plus it’s cute to look and and you can move it around the house with you – so you can use it on the couch and next to you in bed.
Worth it.

Basically I’m here to say a lot of us deal with this and currently it’s happening to me.
I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest as I’m typing this – so it’s easy for me to sit here and type to you and show you the warning signs of SAD if you’re feeling them.
Don’t be afraid to get help or talk to someone.
Don’t be afraid to voice your feelings – it’s hard – I get it.
But we can get through this I promise.

Examples of mind-body techniques that some people may choose to try to help cope with SAD include:

• Relaxation techniques such as yoga or tai chi
• Meditation
• Guided imagery
• Music or art therapy

We’ve got this!
xoxo

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