Natural Treatments For Seasonal Affective Disorder + Light Therapy

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In the first article in this series, Understanding and Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder, we talked about What is Seasonal Affective Disorder, the Symptoms of SAD, and the main treatment options for this condition.

In addition to treatment options recommended by doctors, there are also a few natural treatments for seasonal affective disorder that have proven to be very effective at reducing the intensity of the symptoms and in some cases even preventing them altogether.

First of all, light therapy is often considered a natural remedy and something you can do without involving doctors, though you should still let your practitioner know if you are suffering from severe depression symptoms from SAD.

Here are a few other very effective natural ways to manage symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Change Your Diet

You may not want to hear it, but changing your diet can definitely help with some symptoms associated with SAD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is sometimes triggered because of key nutrients that are missing in your diet. By adding foods that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, you may start feeling better.

The dietary changes are for depression in general, not just for SAD itself.

Consume More Fish Oil

One of the more important nutrients to add to your diet, whether by taking a supplement or looking for natural food sources, is fish oil. This comes from Omega-3 fatty acids, such as with olive oil, salmon, and tuna.

If you can’t get enough Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, then you may want to try supplements. If you decide to take a fish oil supplement, aim for 1,000mg a day or more.

Dr. Tobias Omega 3 Fish Oil Triple Strength is a best-selling Omega-3 Fish Oil on Amazon, earning 4.5 to 5 stars by over 11,500 users.

Take B Vitamins

Another nutrient that can be a good natural remedy for symptoms of SAD is a B vitamin. B vitamins can also come from natural food sources, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. If these aren’t a part of your regular diet, you might do better with a supplement just to make sure you are getting enough.

B6 is one of the best B vitamins for conditions causing seasonal affective disorder symptoms that resemble depression.

Use Light Therapy Lamps for SAD

Read more about how light therapy helps to reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Then go here to see my top picks for Best Light Therapy Lamps for SAD.

Try to find a lamp that is labeled to be helpful for SAD or one that your doctor has recommended for this condition specifically. This type will work better than generic light therapy lamps. While the light should not be bright enough to cause blindness, you should still refrain from looking directly at it.

Need light therapy on the go? Check out the Luminette 2 – SAD Bright Light Therapy Glasses. They are as effective as 10,000 lux white light and from user feedback, they are very effective for managing SAD symptoms while you are out and about.

Self Care for the Winter Season

It is a good idea to practice self-care during the winter season in order to start preparing for seasonal affective disorder. This will either help you to prevent SAD or can help you reduce the severity of your symptoms and aid in treating it naturally. Here are some different ways to practice self-care during the winter season.

Stay As Active As Possible

Since exercise is so helpful for SAD, it is good to try and be as active as you possibly can. This means constantly moving during the winter season, whether you are meeting up with friends, heading to the gym, or going for a walk. Try to keep moving and keep your blood pumping, as that can be really helpful when you are trying to prevent SAD from occurring.

Part 3 in this series focuses on the importance of staying active to manage this condition – Exercise Your Way Out Of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Don’t Stay Indoors All the Time

If you insist on remaining inside your home just because of the temperature or weather outside, you are going to feel a lot worse. It isn’t easy to leave the warm comfort of your home, but it is necessary if you are susceptible to seasonal affective disorder.

Try to find places to go or people to see where you are not spending more time at home than is really necessary.

Eat a Healthy Diet

This is a really good time to focus on being healthier and eating as many nutrients as you can. The foods you eat do make a difference in your depression and how you feel overall. Switch to fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, lean protein, and whole grains. Just by doing this, you will start feeling a lot better and might even prevent the onset of SAD symptoms.

Find Ways to Enjoy Winter

In order to try and avoid SAD, or at least reduce the symptoms from the depressive condition, you should try to see the positive things about winter. You already know that winter brings along a lot of doom and gloom because of how dark and cold it is, but not everything needs to be bad! Try to focus on the good things about winter, such as the beauty of freshly-fallen snow, being able to cuddle up with your family in front of the fire, and making baked goods. Indulge in sweets and treats, spend quality time with your family, and enjoy the holiday festivities.

By understanding what SAD is and how to recognize the symptoms, you will be able to treat it properly. Remember to speak to a doctor for a confirmed diagnosis before you start any self-treatment.

Read Part 1 – Understanding & Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder

Read Part 3 – Keep Moving! Exercise Your Way Out of Seasonal Affective Disorder