By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
As exhilarating as moving to Tulsa and Oklahoma City is, sooner or later the moving high goes away and you come back to ground with a great big thud. If re-entry is throughout the winter time, it can cause seasonal depression--also called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Especially if your move has brought you someplace where winter is a real thing--for instance if you've moved from Florida to Minnesota-you must be prepared for some seasonal anxiety and know how to deal with it till the spring thaw.If you recollect anything with regards to high school geography, the farther north you are, the less sunshine there will be throughout the winter and fall months. The short days frequently go hand in hand with gloomy dull days, so that it may seem like the sun rarely shines for several weeks on end. That's when just about all you'd like to do is hibernate--stay home, nap, binge watch TV shows, and simply stay away from the world. For those who have recently moved across the country and are in a new place, and you haven't essentially settled into a new normal routine as yet, it's much easier to get caught in the grip of seasonal depression. So, here is how it is possible to deal with it from home, or a few solutions a specialist could advise if you can't keep it at bay without any help.
One note--SAD is a real thing--the Mayo Clinic handles it, and the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) contains it. If you feel the signs and symptoms of depression linked to winter time, seek intervention in case you have had the outward symptoms before.
Light Healing
Phototherapy is the magic bullet for lots of people with SAD. It is a uncomplicated therapy which professionals think changes your brain balance with half hour per day of exposure; There aren't any substantial side effects and it's a home treatment, so it's worth an attempt. You'll need a light box which emits a minimum of 10,000 lux (lux factors in the concentration of the light). Sit by the box--approximately 16 to 24 inches away--while you sip your morning coffee, not looking directly at the light but with your eyes open. Ensure the light box is made just for SAD treatment, because it will filter out Ultraviolet light.
Easy things--higher-watt bulbs, opening window coverings in the daytime, and sitting by a window at work, if possible--that expose you to additional light can have a noticeable benefit. Trim back any tree branches that dangle over your home to allow in additional sun, and explore putting in skylights to let all the sunshine you can to the house.
Head Out-of-doors
Go for a walk, eat your lunch time outside--anything to absorb a handful of weak winter season sun. Even a minimal boost of Vitamin D is wonderful for you and going outside for a brief stroll satisfies that in addition to getting your heart rate up. Early morning sun--even on cloudy days--packs a bigger wallop as opposed to weak mid-day sunshine, so strive to head outdoors to start off your day.
Being active is the standard protocol for helping almost any depression--it gets the endorphins running, which in turn eases the signs and symptoms of tension and anxiety. In the event that your new home is located in a place where winter sporting activities are prominent, find a new pastime--snow skiing, ice skating, even ice fishing. Try to get out and make friends, even if it's just eating a meal or having coffee with acquaintances.
In the event your SAD lasts once you have tried to keep it in check on your own, I highly recommend you seek a medical professional's guidance. A psychologist or psychiatrist can do a detailed assessment of your mental and physical wellness and evaluate whether your symptoms are actually seasonal or maybe the start of a more chronic depression. One of the primary questions they will likely ask is if any different family members are subject to SAD--it is assumed to be hereditary. Treatment solutions may be talk therapy, relaxation or meditation, or possibly a short-term prescription for antidepressants.
Do not forget that as the winter season gives way to spring, so will your SAD lessen as the days get lengthier and much more enjoyable. In the meantime, please seek treatment for your SAD so you can take advantage of your wellbeing in your new residence after moving to Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
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