Natural Cures for Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects many people who live in areas with long winters. The disorder is caused by the absence of light, and providing a substitute for that missing natural sunlight is one of the ways to treat SAD. Other natural cures are readily available, but some involve traveling to a warmer, lighter climate, if only for a few days.

What is SAD and Who is at Risk?

• Most people who experience SAD develop symptoms in late fall or early winter. A few people experience SAD symptoms in the summer, but for most, it's a disorder that comes with the long winter days, overcast skies and lack of exposure to sunshine. SAD is not just a passing bad day but a medically recognized disorder that persists over time and makes it difficult for the person to function normally. Not surprisingly, those who live in areas with long, dark winters are more prone to SAD. Women, too, are at greater risk, and so are those who have a close relative with the disease. People between ages 15 and 55 are more likely to have SAD than children or the elderly.

Symptoms

• The Mayo Clinic lists the following as symptoms of SAD: depression; hopelessness; anxiety; loss of energy; social withdrawal; oversleeping; loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed; appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates; weight gain; and difficulty concentrating and processing information.

SAD Lamps and Natural Light.

• Many SAD sufferers swear by SAD lamps, or light boxes. These lamps provide about 10 times the light of an average living room lamp. People sit by the lamp or light box for 30 minutes or more each day. The lamps may trigger chemical reactions in the brain that help alleviate SAD. It's better yet to get outside and enjoy the rare sunny winter days. One study found that an hour spent outside in the sunshine was worth 2 1/2 hours by the SAD lamp. And if at all possible, spend part of the winter in a sunnier climate.

Dietary Changes

• SAD triggers a desire for carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain. The weight gain can increase the depression. Phylameana lila Desy, who frequently writes about holistic healing practices, recommends people make some serious changes in their diets to fight SAD: a low-fat diet without too much protein; eliminating caffeine, refined sugars and flours, and taking a daily vitamin with magnesium, B complex and minerals. Other studies suggest that coffee helps avoid depression.

Other remedies

• Phylameana lila Desy recommends a holistic approach to dealing with SAD. In addition to light therapy, she advises people to do some type of aerobic exercise and to spend 30 minutes a day outside if at all possible. She also recommends Saint John's Wort, other herbal remedies and aromatherapy--specifically, mustard flower essences. It's important to discuss any herbal remedies with your doctor, as they can react adversely with prescription medication.