So you're one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal depression every year. If you want to fight it and get ahead of it before it brings you down, you better hop on it. As summer is winding down, it's the perfect time to change your routine to save you that despair. Here are a few tips and tricks, but remember that if it gets or stays bad, seek out professional help.
1. Keep it bright
Studies have shown that light, especially sunshine, can help change a person's mood for the better. Since it's only August, keep the brightness from summer around as long as possible. Open up your curtains and let that light in. If you seek professional help, your doctor might prescribe light therapy. This therapy consists of a light box to substitute the brightness of summer that your body is missing.
2. Keep it light
Although it's super on trend to wear dark colors and be all vampy during the fall and winter seasons, it's important to mix in some bright colors. Wearing all black can get you down, colors and visuals play a big part in creating your emotions. Opt for more summery colors with your makeup or clothing every once in a while, after all, there's no official rulebook for what you can and can't wear. Wear whatever you want whenever you want as long as it makes you happy.
3. Take advantage of school resources
Your school, whether it's high school or college, probably has a counselor or some type that can help you talk through your emotions and help you find options to solve your issues. It might seem like a lot of work but it will be worth it. If you're scared, have a friend go with you and give you support.
4. Get out
As winter sets in and it gets colder, people tend to stay in. To fight your seasonal depression, get out and continue to do the activities you love. Or dive into all the fun fall and winter actives you've been waiting all year for like pumpkin spice everything, hot chocolate, s'mores, trees changing colors, Halloween, Christmas and so much more!
5. Fight your anxiety
Find things that make you happy or things that calm you and do them. Try looking up ASMR videos when you're struggling to fall asleep because your anxiety is too fierce. Buy some nice gooey slime to calm all your woes when life has you down. Do anything and everything that will help you stay calm. Make sure to talk about your worries and share the way your feeling with trusted people like friends or family.
6. Start the school year right
School is returning and most people are very anxious about the new semester. Read your syllabus! Keep yourself organized. Go to class! Do your homework! Start a study group! As long as you do everything you're supposed to, you will be fine. Do not start the year slacking. This is your future! Future you in December will thank you for not slacking off in September when you calculate that you only need to get a 48% on your final to pass the class with an A.
7. Talk it out
Make sure to talk about your feelings and discuss what you're going through with people you can trust. If things get worse or you don't have anyone to talk to, you can always go to a professional like a therapist or counselor. It can be hard to get the conversation started, but getting things off your chest will help.
8. Try exercising
Yes, running sucks, but exercising has been proven to help improve your mood. Go to a gym, utilize your school's resources, take exercise classes or do at home workouts. You can do rigorous exercise at a gym or just light stuff like yoga or going for a walk. Anything to get your blood flowing and allows you to get some fresh air will help.
9. Don't give up
Depression is rough and there is no easy fix. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment. Do not give up, you can get through it. If it is only seasonal depression, keep in mind that spring and summer are right around the corner. You can do it! You are an amazing person no matter what is happening in your life at the moment. You got this!
