How to Fight Depression this Winter

If you’re like many people, winter can be a sad time. The grey clouds, cold weather, and long nights contribute to a feeling of the winter blues, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is estimated to affect up to 25% of people living in North America*.

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For some people it goes deeper. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reports:
The “lifetime prevalence” of depression is 24 percent for women and 15 percent for men. This means that, at some point in their lives, 24 percent of women and 15 percent of men will experience an episode of major depression.

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As someone who has suffered from depression, I was grateful to see so much activity in CureTogether’s depression community. Depression is the 5th most populated condition here, after vulvodynia, endometriosis, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome. The most commonly reported symptoms are loss of interest and sadness, each affecting 97% of CureTogether members with depression.

Where it gets most interesting is in the treatments and triggers people report. I’ve compiled the top ways to fight depression below, each recommended by over 50% of members in the depression community (links added by me).
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How to Fight Depression
1. Get enough sleep. This can be hard to do, but focusing on good sleep hygiene can make a big difference.

2. De-stress. It’s easy to forget to make time for yourself, but even 20 minutes a day can be a great gift. The Mayo Clinic gives some advice on relaxation techniques like meditation, tai chi, and massage, all of which can help.

3. Talk to someone. Find a professional counselor with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, or a good friend with a cup of tea and a friendly ear. Breaking the isolation and getting out there is an important step in beating depression.

4. Move your body. Regular, daily exercise is good for your body, your mind, and your mood. One thing that can help is to keep your shoes beside your bed. As soon as you get up, head right out the door for a brisk walk. It really sets the tone for the whole day.

5. Try SSRI’s. For clinical depression, or if the above suggestions are not effective, you may want to get medical help. SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Prozac was the first of this class of drugs. There are risks and side effects to SSRI’s, so talk to your doctor.

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Choose one of these things and do it right now.

For more symptoms, triggers, and treatments for depression, and to find a community of people going through the same thing, visit CureTogether. We wish you wellness and happiness.

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*Rosen et al (1990)

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