Do you feel the Winter Blues? Find everything is a challenge in the darker days? Your answer may be Hypnotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
On the morning of writing this blog, it was a dull, wet and windy day. I had to force the dog out of the door, knowing that once we got to the field, he would enjoy it. Many of us feel the darkness of the Winter mornings and evenings. However, with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) there is a pattern that occurs every December, January and February.
Symptoms
The symptoms can be mild in the Autumn. After the daylight hours diminish further, the Winter depression takes hold. There are a variety of SAD Symptoms, not everyone will experience all of these. For instance, you may experience:
- Low mood, losing interest and pleasure in everyday activities. Therefore, being less active.
- Becoming more irritable, stressed and anxious. Finding it hard to concentrate and with decision making.
- Experience feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Resulting in low self-esteem.
- Have feelings of despondency, and are more tearful, resulting in feeling more tired.
- Similarly, disrupted sleep patterns due to lethargy, means you sleep more than normal.
- Also, you may experience an increase in appetite, making you want to comfort eat.
- You may experience a reduced sex drive.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Everyone is different with what causes low mood in themselves. Although, with SAD it is thought to be linked to the reduced exposure to sunlight.
The Hypothalamus in the brain, is stimulated by light and our environment. It is responsible for our chemical responses in the brain and body. Thus, controlling how we are feeling, our sleep patterns, and our appetite. People experiencing SAD find the lack of sunlight prevents them producing the right level of chemicals.
Our Circadian Rhythm.
This is our internal biological clock which is roughly 24hours. Our eyes process the light signals in the optic nerves and triggers the release of Melatonin at dusk. Our levels of Melatonin increase throughout the night, so we get the instruction to fall asleep. The levels decrease again as we sleep, and as soon as daylight is detected the pineal gland shuts down the production of Melatonin. In the Winter months we naturally want to hibernate due to the shorter days. On the Winter Solstice 21st December, the daylight hours are 7 hours, 5 minutes, that is 8 hours, 49 minutes shorter than the June Solstice. People with SAD find they produce too much Melatonin resulting in oversleeping. Ideally, we should get 7-8 hours’ sleep a night. If you Can’t Get to Sleep in that blog I offer some tips to help achieve a good night sleep.
Serotonin
We talk about Serotonin in sessions because it is a key neurotransmitter that stabilises your mood, well-being, and happiness. It helps with our sleeping, eating and digestion as it is predominantly produced in the gut. This hormone impacts the entire body, enabling brain and nervous system cells to communicate with each other. Our body uses Serotonin in several ways:
Mood – Serotonin in the brain helps to regulate our mood both happiness, and anxiety. Low levels are linked to depression and anxiety.
Bowel Movements – Serotonin is found in your stomach and intestines, and helps control your bowel movements and function.
Sleep – Serotonin is responsible for stimulating the parts of the brain that control sleep and waking.
If we produce the right levels of serotonin then we are happy, calm and focused.
Useful Tips
We can increase our serotonin levels naturally in a few simple ways:
- Get some fresh air out in nature.
- Exercise, walking, swimming, cycling, whatever is manageable, and you enjoy doing.
- Meditating and relaxing.
- Focusing on positives in life.
- Being social and interacting with others in a positive way.
- Use Daylight lightbulbs.
- Set alarms for waking up at the same time each day and a reminder to wind down ready for bed.
Hypnotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you have noticed the same pattern every year in Winter, there is a chance you are experiencing SAD. If you find the symptoms unbearable, then do visit your GP and get a diagnosis. There is more information on what to expect at the GP appointment through the NHS Website.
However, Hypnotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Working together we’ll gain a clear understanding of your situation as well as your hopes going forward. You don’t have to do this alone. The Mind Reboot Program can help to clear the unwanted patterns of behaviour, clear your mind from worries, by giving a fresh perspective on life. I give you lots of coping techniques, and advice on how to cope.
Why Choose Me?
My personality and approach may be what you’re looking for, it might not. But I am passionate about helping my clients receive the high standard of therapy they deserve.
If I am the right Hypnotherapist for you, and Hypnotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is your answer, then please do reach out and book a free consultation.
I am a full member of the AfSFH, NCH and CNHC, fully compliant with all their codes and ethics. I have full public liability am qualified, verified, and fully insured through BABTAC, with an enhanced DBS certificate through the NCH. Please do visit my terms & conditions.