How I manage Seasonal Affective Disorder
Updated: Feb 7, 2020
There was a time when winter brought with it a debilitating sadness, an inability to go outside after dark, and 8 pm bedtimes. For a few years in a row, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) completely ruled my life in this way, but through clever self-trickery I think I’m starting to get the hang of it.
Here’s what I do to keep SAD at bay as best I can:
Take daily vitamin D and vitamin C tablets.
Set a SAD lamp to come on before my alarm in the morning.
Eat plenty of carb-heavy winter food.
Get the bus straight to the gym after work to prevent myself getting trapped in the house.
Force myself to do the above even though I really don’t want to because I know I’ll feel better once I’m there.
Arrange to hang out with people despite the fact that sometimes all I want to do is curl up in bed and wait for the day to be over.
Have a hot chocolate.
Get creative by writing, sewing or painting while watching a film in the background.
Go for a walk on days when it’s nice outside.
Wear my favourite moose pyjama bottoms and new fluffy slippers.
Be kind to myself when curling up in bed is the answer.

While I find winter challenging, there are also so many things I love about it. I love long walks on crisp winter days. I love curling up at home with a fire. I love having an excuse to get crafting. I love Christmas music. I love seeing animals breathing out steam (especially horses, cows and deer). I love snow. And this year, I get to learn to ski! So there are plenty of reasons not to let SAD make me sad, I just need to trick my brain into remembering them.