7 Ways To Outsmart Seasonal Depression

Do you suffer from the winter blues? Make exercise your go-to remedy. Staying fit is a great way to fight seasonal affective disorder.

- Hannah Ebelthite

As the nights draw in and days get shorter and gloomier, lots of us experience the winter blues. But for some, it constitutes a serious and debilitating mental health condition. ‘The cause of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is thought to be linked to reduced exposure to natural light – both in intensity and the length of time,’ explains Marguerite Regan, Policy Manager at the Mental Health Foundation. ‘With less of a distinction between day and night and not enough morning light, our circadian rhythms (or body clock) can drift. ‘Light stimulates a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates mood, sleep and appetite. Lack of light, combined with a disruption to brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin, can stop the hypothalamus from functioning correctly and result in SAD,’ she adds.

HOW CAN EXERCISE HELP?

Treatment for SAD can include anti-depressants, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and light therapy, using special, bright lamps that mimic natural daylight. But there’s strong evidence exercise can help ease the symptoms.

‘We already know fitness is a fantastic, year-round mood booster, releasing feel-good endorphins,’ says Regan. ‘The evidence that exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants for mild to moderate depression has been widely reported. And there’s extra benefit to be had from getting active outdoors, in green spaces. Through outdoor exercise, in daylight, we can harness the health benefits of fresh air, nature and mood-boosting vitamin D, from sunshine.’