Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): More Than Just the "Winter Blues”

OMG the rain !! I know the seasons are changing but seriously..this much rain?

On a more serious note, as the days shorten and we get closer and closer to the clocks going back, hundreds of thousands in the UK face the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a highly misunderstood mood disorder. Often dismissed as "winter blues" or "depression-lite," SAD is actually a major depressive disorder.

Because SAD comes and goes with the seasons, it’s frequently not taken seriously, despite being "harrowing" for those who suffer from it. And while the acronym is memorable, it sometimes trivialises the condition, leading people to mistake it for mere sadness.

Between 0.5% and 2.4% of the UK population—roughly 268,000 to 1.6 million people—experience SAD.

Is this weather bringing you down? As the seasons shift, it’s crucial to recognise how these changes can impact our mood. If you're feeling low, here are a few strategies to help manage it:

☁️ Spend time outdoors during the day to soak up natural sunlight.
💡 Start your day with 30 minutes of light therapy 
📱 Avoid blue light for at least an hour before bed.
💊 Incorporate a vitamin D supplement into your routine.
🌳 Research shows that nature benefits us all. I make it a habit to get outside every day, even if only for 10 minutes, and I always feel better afterward.

How does the weather affect you?