Depression is something that people have but don’t want to talk about. When I was in my hole of lost thoughts and downward spiral, nothing could bring me out of it. I certainly did not feel like talking about it. I literally wanted to lie in bed all day long. Food tasted like jaw breaking rocks, unappetizing and only made me starve myself. I would take long naps, sometimes cry softly, then lie there in lost thoughts.
Moving towards action was the hardest thing to do. Like every little step to stand up from my bed, open the door to the outer world, took an enormous amount of effort. The idea of even saying hi to people zapped me from energy and felt like an impossible challenge.
One silver lining was friendships. I would get that random text from a friend. “Miss you” or “how are you?” As if the universe knew that I was in a black hole, and the texts were like shooting stars. Even if I thought for a brief second, eh who cares if I even text back. It turns out they do.
After some reflection, those silences of not returning a text, phone call were like packages of poisons I sent back to my friends, seemingly like I was intentionally trying to burn our tough Brooklyn-like bridges.
It turns out that I am so sensitive to Seasonal Affective Disorder; but not the typical shorter days or colder days; it was the warm months; according to WebMD 10% of people with SAD have summer triggers which can cause depression.
Summer doesn’t seem like it’s depression for some people; after all, the sun is up and the days are yearn to be outside. However, I felt like I should turn the blinds and put up the black out curtains. According to tonic.vice.com, those who suffer SAD are affected by light and temperature in which can cause people to feel bothered. Even location has something to do with it, such as the farther south one is, the more common summer depression is. Two contributing factors are dehydration and lack of sleep. Suicide rates peak in summer and spring and a myth in the fall, winter months.
Here are a 8 strategies to fight the Seasonal Affective Disorder during the summer or if you’re feeling that summer slump:
1) Stay cool and hydrate well. Sounds so novel but may be not so obvious. People tend to forget that drinking water even if they don’t feel like water tends to make people dehydrated. Even if you’re staying inside, you still want to keep a bottle next to you.
2) Attend a summer evening event. There are a lot of summer events even if it’s just a farmer’s market. A quick Google populated events in my area. Evenings are key because those who are prone to depression who have SAD will not like blasting heat which can be triggering. Social contact has proven to help fight depression.
3) Plan a game night with friends at your home or a friend’s home. Relationships, relationships, relationships (if you’re just reading into Self Care Blog - Welcome! The one thing to remember when leaving this blog is that relationships are so beneficial to your life -it breeds happiness).
4)Try to keep sleep schedule consistent. Sleep is another contributing factor of depression; less of it or inconsistency in sleep will only harm your body’s full potential in the day.
5) Off the social media. Limit or reduce the number of times you look at your friend’s smiles and snazzy vacay spots. It won’t help that not only you are down and out but on top of it, envious.
6) Take a mini vacation if a major vacation is too daunting and overwhelming. Do a weekend trip with friends, or your loved ones. Vacations have shown to increase immunity, and outlook on self and the world.
7) Use a journal or a mood app like Daylio to track your mood. If there are certain days that show when you’re not in the mood, you can track your pattern and your behaviors and identify your triggers more easily.
8) See a therapist. There is no harm in seeking professional advice to help you handle what you’re going through. Seeking help not only shows strength but you could save your own life.
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