Seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can hit us at various times during the year; however, winter seems to be a common time for many of us to struggle with seasonal depression. I have a friend who struggles with seasonal depression in the summer months, which is equally understandable as the scorching heat is not super enjoyable. Most therapists and medical professionals attest that the darker months contribute to seasonal depression in the winter months because they keep us stuck inside, and it could be that the hot weather of the summer that traps us indoors does the same damage to our mental health.
In either case, seasonal depression is difficult to navigate. I have depression year-round, but I can tell it gets worse in the winter months. Maybe you have also seen this in your life. Whenever my depression gets worse, I normally want to stay inside all day and not leave my house. I would rather stay in bed than go places or visit with friends.
Depression has been glorified through secular media, yet I can share that it is nothing to glamorize. Most days are spent in bed, hiding under the covers, afraid to face the day. Other days are marked by extreme numbness that cannot be shaken. Irritability, social isolation, deep sorrow, and anxiety are also common when we struggle with seasonal depression.
Regardless, we can take specific steps to prepare ourselves for seasonal depression to lighten the load on our brains.
We can prepare for seasonal depression this winter by taking the incentive to soak up light. Light alters the brain's chemicals, which shift our mood (for the better).
Going on a quick walk around the block or sitting in a park for a few minutes in the morning can help us feel better. While this alone will not cure our seasonal depression, it can help relieve many of its symptoms. If we do not have access to natural light, we can utilize light therapy. Try to spend some time outside this week during the morning hours or invest in a lightbox for your bedroom.
Soaking up natural light or utilizing light therapy is great; however, they are not a substitute for talking with a professional. Therapy can help treat SAD through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Understand that it often takes time before therapy takes effect, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away. These types of things take time. Do not rush the healing process. We need to trust in the Lord as He guides us through therapy and talking with medical professionals. God can heal us; however, sometimes His way of healing us comes through the process of working with doctors and therapists.
Seasonal depression has a way of making us feel hopeless and alone, yet through therapy, we see that these beliefs are not true. God, our treatment team, and our loved ones are all with us, championing us through the dark, cold season.
Outside therapy, we need to continue talking about our feelings. This can be challenging, especially since we want to be by ourselves, yet we must try our best to spend time around loved ones. The person I always feel comfortable talking to even on my worst days is my sister. Think of someone who is an encouraging, supportive, and safe person. They will be the person you should share your struggles and feelings with.
Our emotions can become overwhelming when everything feels dark and cold, yet we can choose to share these emotions with our loved ones. It truly helps to share these hard feelings with someone rather than bottling them up. Bottling up our feelings will cause us to feel more alone, hopeless, and anxious. We need to be vulnerable and open with our loved ones as they can help us when we struggle.
Loved ones have a way of helping ease our symptoms. They love us enough to encourage us to get out of the house, get fresh air, and take physical steps to combat our seasonal depression. Meanwhile, if we are feeling down, they can be a spiritual boost, reminding us of the hope we have in the Lord. In the same way, if we are feeling empty, they can help us feel loved by pointing us to scriptures that tell us about God’s love for us. Having a supportive person in our life can help point us back to Jesus and encourage us to process our depression.
The Bible tells us, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Our hope can always be found in the Lord. Our seasonal depression might try to make us feel alone and hopeless, but we can find the truth in the Lord. Our hope is steadfast and secure in Him.
Throughout our struggles with seasonal depression, we need to continue to talk back to the lies our depression tells us. We are not without hope, we are not alone, and there are people who care. Depression wants to isolate us and make us feel unworthy, but we don’t have to listen to it. In the Lord, we are dearly loved, worthy, and cared for. Never are we alone and never are we without hope.
Jesus can help us as we are walking through this difficult winter. While it took everything in me to get outside and be productive last year, my healing was only because of the Lord. To be honest, I believe my depression would remain severe throughout the year if I chose to give in to it. Perhaps this is the same for you—but do not listen to the isolating lies of depression.
Choose to listen to Jesus instead. Hope is never lost when the Lord is near. There are brighter days in the future because of Jesus. Although our seasonal depression might come back around next year or in a few months, we can have faith in God. Some years might be worse than others, yet we do not need to doubt God’s presence in our lives. I understand this can be extremely hard as I have struggled with feeling God’s presence when I’m deep in depression, but we have to remember God is always with us and He is always for us (Romans 8:31).
Throughout our lives, we can continue to find hope in the Lord (Hebrews 6:19). Whether we are struggling with seasonal depression, year-long depression, or feelings of sorrow, we can turn to Him. He will lift our weary souls and set our feet on level ground (Psalm 40:2). Never will He invalidate our pain or struggles. Instead, He will sit with us in our pain, struggles, and sorrow.
Even if we feel we have no one to wade through the depression with us, we always have God. He is our biggest supporter and our greatest friend. There will come a day when our seasonal depression will not be present and we will walk in the Kingdom of God. Look forward to this day with a heart full of hope and your mind set on Jesus.
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