This blog isn’t supposed to be a finite way to handle seasonal depression. It’s a way to inspire you to have or develop a plan. Seasonal depression is a depressive mood that happens at certain times. For me it happens at the start of daylight savings and continues until about February. For others it can come at their respective times. Here are some ways that I handle it.
Honest Conversations
For years when I would be overly sad and down I would tell myself a lie. The lie would be that whatever I was feeling didn’t exist. I needed to pray it off. Don’t get me wrong prayer is always necessary. However prayer and works meaning being an active participant in my healing. This has been the best medicine.
So if you’re constantly telling yourself a lie trust me you will beat yourself up more when you’re not seeing a positive switch. So since I’ve been under therapy at various points I knew I had to talk to my therapist.
Holidays won’t fix your seasonal depression
I’m a holiday girl. My family knows this is when Mom magic shines. I go out to make sure that beyond gifts that they have beautiful childhood memories. So from grand movie nights, matching pjs, and more I’m that Pinterest mom. I love it! However what I’ve learned about myself is while I’ve been known to not spare budgets on memory making I was making deficits on my personal wellbeing. I even told myself at one point that the joy of the holidays would overshadow my seasonal depression.
Getting Real Enough to Evoke Change
The world has created a safe space now to talk openly about seasonal depression. However one thing I’ve been hearing in my personal circles is the acknowledgment but not enough of a plan. Acknowledgment is great but a plan is better. When the pandemic is when many people had the time to realize the seriousness of their mental health. Now the world is back open and our health is taking a back seat.
I’m booked and busy quite often. So booked I have to block of relax days on my calendar and stick with it. Don’t let the busyness overshadow your true self.
How to develop a Seasonal Depression Plan
This may take a little outside help! For me I went to my doctor. When she asked me how I was feeling I was honest. Two people you shouldn’t lie to and that’s yourself or your doctor. They can’t help where honesty isn’t present. So I got comfortable telling her how often I was finding myself sad. If the sadness made it hard to get out of the bed. It didn’t matter if the responsibilities of life got me out. It was the feeling of not wanting to participate if I had a choice.
My doctor helped me make a decision for medication which I do take in low doses all year long. We increase the dose around daylight savings time and end that increased dose in the middle of spring. Now I know I’ve lost a few of you with the talk of medication but let’s talk about it.
The use of medication for seasonal depression
This isn’t for everyone. If you believe or have been taught that the use of medication is for “crazy” folks you are misled. If you had a headache you would take medication. So why not mental health which is health care too. You may know my story that I started medication when I was dealing with postpartum depression. My husband revealed it to his friends without my permission.
Immediately the shame was obvious. I felt violated. So how did I gain my power in that moment?! I told my husband how I felt. No sugar coating it or tiptoeing about it. We even did a podcast about it too. Also I openly talked about it. I’m of this mind if you think you’re gonna tell it let me do it since I can do a better job! The shame was released!
Medication doesn’t have to be permanent. The medicine I used during postpartum isn’t the same as I use now. My mediation hasn’t made my hair fall out or altered my personality. Those two things I was adamant about. So I didn’t let the doctors put me on anything. We came up with a plan together.
What’s a seasonal plan look like?
Take an honest assessment of your moods. Is it noticeably lower now? Keep a journal of the emotions and your emotional responses. Fyi being overly aggressive or agitated is a sign of anxiety or depression too. I had to learn that one too. Your plan could include a lot of safety measures. For instance if you’re under therapy care and you notice you need more ask for it.
I assess myself for various reasons:
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
- Goals
If I notice I’m not as active it’s one sign that I need to get balanced. Too tired to go to the gym or a walk due to being busy is one thing. When it’s more about my lack of interest in my physical well being that’s a green light that I’m off. For mental or shows up in my self talk. Am I more judgmental about my appearance?
Emotional is clear for me only cause I work on it all the time. So more agitation and my voice yelling more over little things is telling. So all of this is written down in my journal. Also journaling less for me is intentional too.
The plan
Are you eating well? When was the last time you cooked a healthy meal at home? Eating for self care is important. Take this moment to recommit yourself to yourself. Did you add movement in your world today? I missed my run so I’ll be at the gym today. Adding things that I really love and brings me joy is key too.
Take care of you!
