Do you often feel down and out during the winter months? Do you find it difficult to keep a high level of energy during this dreary time of the year?
While you may not have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – although it never hurts to consult with your doctor – there’s a good chance stress and/or depression has you down.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to combat wintertime stress and depression. But before you do so, it’s important to become familiar with the most common signs and symptoms:
· Lack of energy
· Little to no interest in activities that typically make you happy
· Difficulty sleeping, even when you are tired
· Changes in weight (and your appetite)
· Mood swings and feelings of agitation
· Difficulty concentrating, such as at school or work
Generally speaking, you have three options:
· Wait for winter to pass (which is typically the worst idea)
· Seek help from a medical doctor
· Treat the issue on your own
Many people opt to deal with stress and depression on their own, through unconventional measures, as it suits them best. For example, you can experiment with essential oils and massage therapy, two things that have the potential to ease your stress and break you out of your funk.
Always keep this in mind: there’s a solution to your wintertime stress and depression, so you shouldn’t let it linger until the warmer spring weather finally rolls around.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.
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