3 Ways Yoga Helps Manage Seasonal Affective Disorder
PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this article is NOT intended as medical advice. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of SAD or any other diagnosable mental health condition, please see a qualified mental health practitioner or doctor.
There is a solid reason why so many people chase the sun and heat, scheduling beach destination vacations in the longest shortest month of the year. When February hits, especially in areas that get a “real” winter, people are totally over the need to be fully bundled up just to take a quick jaunt to the mailbox.
Winter can be tough for just about anybody. The gray skies, the cold nip on the wind, the extra time stuck indoors, or the layers of bulky clothes that restrict movement and make us feel confined even when outside–it can all add up to feelings of sadness, discontent, lack of energy, and feeling like you’re in a slump.
It’s worse than that for some of us, too. The winter season can tip us completely, moving away from simply being ready for warmth and sunshine again into a more serious situation known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It goes by SAD, which is a perfectly fitting name for the recognized disorder.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
The Mayo Clinic describes SAD as being a type of depression that is extremely common and typically lasts throughout the months of limited sunshine. Symptoms include:
● Listlessness and sadness, every day
● Lost interest in things you usually enjoy
● Low energy sluggishness
● Sleeping significantly more than usual
● Food cravings, overeating, and weight gain
● Lack of focus
● Feeling hopeless or unworthy
● And even thoughts that life is not worth living
We can all agree that facing daily life with these feelings is terribly difficult. But there is good news.
There are natural, accessible ways to alleviate the symptoms of SAD and they are available right here at Razz Yoga.
3 Ways Yoga Helps Manage Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
We all know that a regular movement practice benefits our lives in countless and highly personal ways. When it comes to managing the feelings of sluggishness, sadness, and decreased energy that come along with SAD, exercise is a frontline defender to have you feeling better throughout the entire season.
1. Regular exercise is proven to combat depression of every kind
People who have a regular exercise routine every week are far less likely to develop depression. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By creating and committing to a movement routine that is carried out consistently in every season, those of us who are prone to SAD will be less impacted by the symptoms.
How much exercise is enough? According to a study published in Science Daily, about 35 minutes per day or 4 hours per week seems to be the magic number. At Razz Yoga we offer a diverse range of classes at various levels. Just find the days and times in-studio or online that work for you and get your workout routine started.
2. Exercise helps you get healthier sleep
One of the chief complaints of those suffering from SAD is that they have disturbed sleeping patterns. They may have trouble falling or staying asleep or they may sleep too much. Either way, it’s super disruptive to daily life and impacts everything else!
Having a movement practice that is a regular part of your routine helps you achieve healthier sleep. There has been a great deal of research on how exactly exercise helps us sleep better but the jury is still out on what connection makes exercise and sleep a mutually beneficial relationship.
Charlene Gamaldo, M.D., medical director of Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep at Howard County General Hospital says, “We may never be able to pinpoint the mechanism that explains how the two are related,” but it has been shown to increase the amount of slow-wave, or deep sleep you get. That is the sleep that makes you feel super refreshed and rested upon waking. So, get that exercise and help alleviate the sleep problems associated with SAD.
3. Exercise releases endorphins
In case you haven’t heard of these lovely chemicals inside our brains, endorphins are commonly referred to as “feel-good hormones.” They are released when we exercise and they deliver a hefty helping of pure goodness when they flood our system.
Endorphins lower our perception of pain, trigger feelings of euphoria (runner’s high anyone?), make us feel positive and optimistic and just feel wonderful overall. The more regularly you activate these naturally-occurring chemicals, the more you will keep the symptoms of SAD from bringing you down this winter.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is extremely common, impacting millions of people each and every year. At Razz Yoga we want to support your health and wellbeing in every season. Join us for a session, reach out to discuss your goals and needs, at frontdesk@razzyoga.com, and let us help you avoid the winter blues.