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Seasonal Affective Disorder Activities

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a psychological condition resulting in depression and fatigue during the winter months; it is thought to be caused, at least in part, by a lack of natural light. Due to the difference in the amount of light at higher latitudes, those living in those locations tend to be affected more than those living at lower latitudes. Indoor and outdoor activities involving physical exercise, especially in brighter light, can help combat the disorder.

  1. Social Interaction

    • Many times, the effects of seasonal affective disorder can be counteracted with social interaction. Joining a club, going on a social outing, even sharing a nice dinner with an intimate partner or close friend can often help improve spirits, especially during the winter months. While most believe SAD has more to do with light than other factors, one of the natural consequences of the disorder is a noticeable decrease in social activities. Making sure these are part of your routine can be all that is necessary to improve your outlook.

    Simple Exercise

    • If social interaction alone does not offer improvement, or offers only minimal improvement, try adding simple exercise to your routine. This may include riding on a stationary bike, doing an aerobics routine with an instructor on television or other simple things in the home. These sorts of activities may help alleviate seasonal affective disorder.

    Outdoor Activity

    • For those who do not mind getting outdoors in the cold weather, one of the best ways to fight seasonal affective disorder is outdoor activity. Going snow skiing or ice skating may be options in colder climates. Taking a walk or jog in cooler weather may also be possibilities.

    Indoor Sports

    • For those who don't want to venture outdoors for natural light, more rigorous indoor activity may help seasonal affective disorder. Getting involved in a basketball league, indoor tennis league or swim team can also make a huge difference. These activities not only get the heart rate up but also take place in high light situations.

    Light Therapy

    • If all these activities aimed at improving seasonal affective disorder do not seem to work, combining them with some sort of light therapy may also be an option. While most choose clinical light therapy, others opt for tanning beds; this may also be a cheaper option than a clinical light therapy procedure (see Resources section).

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