Feeling SAD this Winter?

Feeling SAD this Winter?

As the excitement of Christmas comes to an end and we all return to work and think about New Years Resolutions, it can be difficult to muster up motivation. But it may not just be a festive hangover.  

SAD has hit the headlines many times in recent years as awareness grows, but it’s not a new phenomenon. The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that for thousands of years, people have noticed that the seasons can affect our mood. It was not until the 1980s, however, that the term Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) first appeared. It is used for people who, although they sometimes can become depressed in the summer, regularly become depressed in autumn and winter.  

SAD has symptoms much like depression, but it has a clear pattern, starting in Autumn or Winter and stopping in the Spring and Summer. The kinds of symptoms that people might experience include loss of energy, low mood, which is often worse in the morning than later in the day, wanting to socialise less, a kind of need for hibernation, feelings of exhaustion for no real reason. People with SAD can often find themselves eating and sleeping more, too. There are subtle differences between SAD and depression, and it’s always a good idea to talk to your GP if you’re worried.

So who gets it? SAD is more common in women – about three times more common – and research suggests the further away you live from the equator, the more likely you are to suffer. Feeling low in mood in the winter is common enough that many of us can relate to these symptoms, but if your symptoms are bad enough to interfere with your life, you may well have SAD. In the UK, about 3 people in every 100 have significant winter depression.

If you are suffering from SAD, hypnotherapy can help. At North Cardiff Hypnotherapy, we teach you how the brain works and why you might be having the thoughts and feelings you have during the winter months. The Solution Focused approach of North Cardiff Hypnotherapy encourages people to think in new and more positive ways. We use relaxation techniques and guided imagery, encouraging people who have SAD to use the power of their mind in a positive and meaningful way. This helps to refocus the mind and work on changing our perception of our experiences. Clients are often relieved to learn that there are different ways that the symptoms of SAD can be managed. People actually enjoy the process of solution-focused hypnotherapy sessions, which often works quite quickly.

Hypnotherapy is a safe and effective therapy, which can help with a number of emotional and physical issues. However, if you have any serious concerns or worries about your physical and mental health it is always advisable to consult your GP first.

If you’d like to ask any questions about your feelings or how hypnotherapy may be able to help you, email northcardiffhypnotherapy@gmail.com or take a look on www.hypnotherapy-wales.com.