Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by Scout Dodds
- spiritlakeboou
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
It’s March now, and it’s already spring if you are a meteorologist. Spring starts March 1, but it’s not yet spring if you are an astronomer. They profess the season of rebirth begins with the spring equinox on March 20, which, at the time of writing this, has not happened yet. So, whether (no pun intended) you fancy yourself a cloud chaser or a star watcher, I think that we can all agree the passage of one season into the next is a strange and wondrous thing.
Poets have taken inspiration from every season since humankind got the itch to show their appreciation, and they scratched it by writing down how the seasons made them feel in prose. While here, in the Northern Hemisphere, the days grow longer, our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are entering their autumn.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to the changes of seasons. Most people who experience SAD find that their symptoms begin in the fall and continue into the winter months, with symptoms resolving during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves in the fall or winter months, according to the Mayo Clinic.
You might be thinking, what does this have to do with me or my writing?
Possibly everything.
Writers dedicate themselves entirely to their next masterpiece, spending countless sleepless nights and downing coffee strong enough to strip paint, tweaking that one sentence that is just a little off or googling the perfect synonym.
As much as I admire the work that goes into authorship, writers can lead lifestyles that might pull them into a depression. Their habits become unsustainable in the winter months, leaving them feeling isolated from family and friends, while also facing a wall with their own creative works.
While it might feel like you are stuck in movie-style quicksand, there are a variety of treatments. Phototherapy or exposure to natural light can help, along with a good night's rest, as disrupted sleep patterns may contribute to the disorder. Be sure to include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your diet as well.
Having a daily routine and scheduling regular social outings can provide tremendous benefits. However, don’t expect to be at the top of your game if you are impacted by SAD. The year moves in season, and so should you. Even the Earth isn’t functioning at its peak all the time. Take the time for a break, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoy the snowy weather if that’s what Mother Nature has in mind.
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