{"id":5716,"date":"2021-11-10T10:10:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T15:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rcourihay.com\/?p=5716"},"modified":"2026-03-13T17:18:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T17:18:56","slug":"10-ways-therapists-personally-deal-with-seasonal-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rcourihay.com\/staging\/blog\/10-ways-therapists-personally-deal-with-seasonal-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways Therapists Personally Deal With Seasonal Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"

The original press appeared on Huffpost.com. Click here<\/a> to view.<\/p>\n

10 Ways Therapists Personally Deal With Seasonal Depression<\/h3>\n

The cold, the early sunset, and a lack of vitamin D can mess with your mental health. Here’s how the pros cope.Kyli Rodriguez-Cayro | 11\/09\/2021 05:45am EST<\/em><\/p>\n

The clocks \u201cfalling back\u201d signify the arrival of dropping temperatures and darker days. And while some people look forward to the wintry weather, the change in seasons can negatively affect those with seasonal depression.<\/p>\n

This mental health disorder is widely known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD,\u00a0and occurs when \u201cdepression gets triggered by a change in seasons, primarily beginning in the fall through winter months,\u201d said Melissa Dowd, a therapist and therapy lead for virtual health platform\u00a0PlushCare<\/a>.<\/p>\n

People with winter depression experience\u00a0symptoms<\/a> such as withdrawal from social events, changes in appetite and oversleeping, along with the issues associated with\u00a0major depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While there could be a host of reasons people experience the disorder, Dowd said research indicates that colder weather, decreased daylight and shorter days\u00a0can trigger SAD symptoms<\/a>. Shorter days are believed to\u00a0mess with your circadian rhythm<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 that is, your biological clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle.<\/p>\n

SAD is a\u00a0common mental health condition<\/a>\u00a0that can affect anyone, including mental health professionals.\u00a0HuffPost spoke with therapists about how they personally cope with seasonal depression<\/a> and find ways to still enjoy the colder months.<\/p>\n

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1. Schedule your life around self-care<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u201cAs a mental health professional, I try to take the same advice I give to my clients: Schedule your life around self-care,\u201d\u00a0Victoria Goldenberg<\/a>, a psychotherapist and media adviser for the\u00a0Hope for Depression Research Foundation<\/a>, said of coping with seasonal depression.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat this entails is time management that prioritizes breaks and vacations, as well as tending to my own appointments and family needs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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2. Accept where you are with your mental health in the moment<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Dowd lives in California and has found the shorter winter days significantly affect her energy levels and mood. Dowd explained that she\u2019s learned to practice embracing where she\u2019s at in the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy meditation practice is instrumental in helping me to accept what is, with non-judgment,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, when the weather is gloomy, I try to embrace the opportunity to curl up with a good book or find a new series on Netflix to binge-watch. [I] give myself permission to slow down and be present.\u201d<\/p>\n

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3. Take a multipronged approach to coping with seasonal depression<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Research has shown that\u00a0depression affects not only the brain<\/a>\u00a0but the body.\u00a0Meghan Watson<\/a>, a resident therapist at\u00a0Alkeme Health<\/a>, a digital destination for the Black community to access mental health and wellness content, said she developed a holistic approach to managing seasonal depression. This includes creating a routine with activities that benefit her \u201cmind, body and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

In terms of mental health, Watson seeks out her own therapist and clinical consultations for when challenges arise at work. Additionally, she makes sure \u201cmajor physical needs like food, hydration and rest are met consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watson also engages in \u201cseasonal creative pursuits and hobbies that fit the colder months\u201d for spiritual wellness, such as painting, caring for indoor plants and meditation.<\/p>\n