How Therapy Can Help Manage Anxiety During the Winter Months
For many winter signals a cozy moment with their loved ones, while others are gripped with anxiety, dreading the colder months. Understandably, winter comes along with crippling anxiety for some people. The sun starts setting early, stealing the chance to experience sunshine and warmth. Plus, the cold, chilly nights and the rise in respiratory illness can take a toll on one's health. However, life could be different if help is nearby. This article explains how winter can affect your mental health and activities that can make you feel better.
Winter and Your Mental Health
Psychologists classify the irritable feeling many experiences during winter months as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that shows forth in certain individuals as the season changes. Although people with SAD start expressing moodiness during a change in any weather condition (it can even be summer or spring), a greater percentage is often associated with seasonal change when the months get shorter, darker, and colder. The intensity of the behavior exhibited differs and can range from mild (a subtle change in behavior) to severe (attempting suicide). Common symptoms of people with SAD include fatigue, low energy, change in appetite, low social battery, change in sleep patterns, and more.
How Therapy Can Bring Relief?People with SAD often exhibit these symptoms due to lack of sunlight, which affects the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, and melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. To tackle this fully, the following therapy and activities can help:
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that helps people learn and adjust to different patterns that can negatively influence their behavior and emotions. The therapy seeks to replace the negative thoughts with realistic and positive ones, which can improve their lives.
Light Therapy
Light therapy is another preferred choice for people with winter-dependent anxiety. This treatment involves sitting in a special lamp, often called a lamp box, for about 20 minutes to 2 hours every day. Lightboxes often come in the form of mounted lamp fixtures and are designed to produce light that simulates sunlight. The use of light boxes stimulates the production of melatonin and serotonin, both responsible for sleep production and mood regulation, thereby helping to alleviate the symptoms of SAD.
Other activities to engage in are journaling, acupuncture, and other relaxation techniques.
How Dr. Saltman Can Assist
You no longer have to quietly suffer from crippling anxiety whenever winter approaches when you can get the help you deserve. Dr. Saltman has helped several people experiencing winter-related anxiety take charge of their lives with our extensive therapy sessions. You are one step away from achieving a blissful life; simply reach out to us to begin.
