Seasonal Affective Disorder

In recent weeks, I've noticed a mood shift in clients, friends and colleagues. Could some be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD for short or the Winter Blues?

Similarly to many people, I experience a change in my stamina at this stage of the year due to shorter days and the colder weather. We tend to feel more sluggish and less motivated.

SAD is recognised as a medical condition. Therefore, in the first instance, you may want to consider seeing your doctor if you believe you might be feeling symptoms of SAD and you’re unable or trying but struggling to cope.

SAD is thought to impact 2 million people in the UK, and 10 to 20% of sufferers do not have any associated symptoms. It is a concern that afflicts more women than men, typically aged between 40 and 55.

There’s a direct link between SAD and the reduction in daylight hours due to the lack of sunlight affecting the hormone levels and internal body clocks.

Symptoms include loss of energy, increased tiredness, lack of motivation, low moods, feelings of despair, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, gloom and despondency for no apparent reason and craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, leading to weight gain.

With our frenetic lifestyles, we often miss vital signals from the sun, and our body clocks suffer as a result. Without decent light in the morning, our body clocks don’t produce the hormones we require to awake and feel alive.

We can feel less productive when there is less light in the morning.

Staying up hours after dark can cause mood and sleep problems at night. Sleep, overall activity, and how we feel are all regulated by our body clock.

When your body's system clock doesn’t get the right light signals, you might feel moody, sluggish, and tired.

Therefore, your body produces active, energetic hormones and subdues the negative, withdrawal ones. These hormones will help reset your mood, sleep, and energy cycles so you sleep better at night and feel fabulous during the day.

The great news is that a life coach can help you combat the symptoms and help you to implement changes in your lifestyle with quick results.

A life coach can help you in the following areas, keep you motivated, and support you if you’re suffering from stress, depression or anxiety. Understand why you’re feeling tired all the time (TATT), assist in managing your weight, and offer encouragement if you’re feeling despondent for no apparent reason.

People have experienced an AMAZING transformation in their winter blues when engaging the services of a competent life coach.

What’s one thing you will do this coming winter to take charge of your winter blues?

If you’re feeling SAD and curious about how you will benefit by employing a life coach, get in touch and book your free 40-minute consultation.