Winter in the Mountain West is not for the faint of heart.
Once the excitement of the holiday season wears off, the reality of a long winter settles in, leaving Utahns looking forward to months of shorter days and subzero temperatures. That’s enough to break anyone’s spirit!
But for some, the winter doldrums can be more than just gloom. For people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), winter mood changes can be more severe and have a devastating impact on daily life.
Fortunately for people in the Beehive State, the area around St. escape from winter It’s only a few hours drive away.
Know the facts about seasonal depression
Approximately 5% of adults in the United States experience seasonal affective disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association. This equates to more than 10 million adults suffering from some level of depression for the better part of a year.
In most cases, symptoms begin in late fall or early winter and disappear in spring or early summer. January and February are usually the most difficult months.
People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depression. According to the Cleveland Clinicthere are some important symptoms to be aware of. These include:
- I feel sad and depressed almost every day and most of the day.
- anxiety.
- Extreme fatigue and lack of energy.
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
- Decreased concentration.
- Feeling irritated or excited.
- Loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities, including withdrawal from social activities.
- Sleep problems (usually sleeping too much).
- Thoughts about death and suicide.
The good news is that there are many treatments that have been proven to help combat seasonal affective disorder.
Recommended treatments include light therapy, medication, exercise, psychotherapy, medication, or a combination thereof.
Here we will discuss some of those treatments in more detail.
sunlight is the key
Light therapy involves sitting near a special light box so that you are exposed to bright light within an hour of waking up each day.
According to the Mayo Clinic, light therapy appears to mimic the natural light outdoors and cause changes in brain chemicals associated with mood. Light therapy has proven to be a highly effective treatment.
“For both seasonal and non-seasonal depression, the effectiveness of light therapy is about the same as common psychotherapies such as antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy.” says Dr. Richard S. Schwartz.Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Of course, being outdoors and soaking up natural light is even better.
Physical activity and spending time in nature can also help.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If you suffer from SAD, spend time outside as soon as possible and often.
Exposure to natural light during the day regulates your circadian rhythm and improves the quality of your sleep at night.
Go for a walk, play in the snow with your kids, or do anything else you enjoy outdoors. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can be helpful.
Exercise can also add to your arsenal, as it reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll find that spending time in nature, combined with exercise, can significantly improve your sleep and mood.
If you are still suffering despite all these interventions, perhaps the solution is to escape the cold rather than endure it. Escape from harsh winter weather isn’t just a luxury, it can be a lifeline for people battling seasonal depression.
Your very own winter escape is closer than you think
What would you do if you could escape to your very own vacation home all winter? divisionit’s not a pipe dream. And it’s more affordable than you think. Imagine a weekend (or weeks!) spent in sunny St. George, just a few hours away.
St. George’s climate is attractive in its own right, with an average of 300 sunny days per year.
The average daily high temperatures in January and February, the two toughest months for people suffering from SAD, are 53 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Beat seasonal depression by hiking, mountain biking, or walking your neighborhood trails every day. No matter what you do, you can go outside and get the vitamin D you need. And at the end of the day, go home to your home, not a hotel or Airbnb.
Here’s how it works: Fractional ownership allows you to enjoy all the benefits of a vacation property without the full financial burden. Rather than buying the entire home, you share the costs and benefits with other owners.
For example, owning one-eighth of a property means you can enjoy blissful relaxation in St. George’s for 44 days a year, or approximately six weeks.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about the burden of full ownership as Fractioned takes care of all your maintenance and management needs. They do all the heavy lifting and you can make the most of your vacation.
visit fractioned.com Learn more about fractional ownership and see available listings.
If you feel your depression is severe or you have suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor right away or seek help from your local emergency room. In addition to providing prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7 to those in distress. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.