Oct 22, 2017

Seasonal Affective Disorder: 5 Tips To Prevent It Completely

I had a reader question come in a few days ago that I found interesting enough to respond to in full, and I’ve decided to share it publicly so that others may benefit.

“Hey Jordan,

I suffer from seasonal affective disorder. I live in the Pacific Northwest and I definitely feel the winter time blues. Do you have any advice on how I can circumvent this tricky time of year? Thanks!”

I also live in a place that is rainy and cloudy for at least half of the year. I’ve developed a few simple, high leverage tricks that help keep my head straight through the gloomier months.

Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Light Box Therapy

For 10-30 minutes per day, I sit in front of a bright light that mimics sunlight and tricks my brain into thinking that it’s still summer time. Hashtag life hacks.

I use this particular brand. Check it out. It helps me out a ton and I can immediately feel the difference when I use it (more energy, happier, more productive, etc.).

seasonal affective disorder

And this is what my setup looks like while I use it.

2. Vitamin D3 Supplement

I also take a liposomal vitamin D3 supplement every morning with water.

Since vitamin D deficiency is the main culprit in bringing about seasonal affective disorder symptoms, I get my vitamin D from multiple angles.

Vitamin D outside (light box), and vitamin D inside (supplement).

3. Regular Exercise

Getting out of your head and into your body is necessary if you’re going to thrive during the cloudy months in your city.

Find a form of exercise that is genuinely fun for you, and do it at least 2-3 times per week. Better yet, do it with your friends.

In my life, that means dancing, doing yin yoga, and going to infrared saunas on the regular.

4. Eat Healthy

If your brain is missing certain micronutrients, then you’ll be more prone to seasonal affective disorder.

Eat a wide range of nutrient-dense, easily digestible whole foods (especially ensuring consumption of vitamin D and omega 3’s), and you’ll be fine.

For a quick cheat sheet of what I recommend as a baseline diet, read this article.

5. Ample Connection Time With Friends

Seasonal affective disorder (and depression and anxiety in general) tend to take hold when we’re eating poorly, not moving our bodies, and isolating ourselves socially. Human beings are a social species… which means that we don’t thrive when we spend too much time alone.

Make sure that you’re spending a lot of time with your nearest and dearest to fend off any unwanted sadness.

seasonal affective disorder

Don’t have any friends? Read this. Want to go deeper in your friendship? Read this.

That’s it! Nice and simple.

Get your sunlight, eat well, move your body, and allow yourself to be deeply embedded in a community of people who love you, and you’ll have a handle on your seasonal affective disorder symptoms in no time. Best of luck!

Dedicated to your success,

Jordan

Ps. If you enjoyed this article, you’ll also love checking out:

7 Simple Tips To Beat Anxiety Naturally

How To Overcome Depression Naturally

How To Manage Stress Effectively (Or How I Weathered My Shit Storm Of A Year)

Blog

Related

See All
21 Of The Best Self Care Practices Ever
Apr 4, 2016
Jordan Gray
21 Of The Best Self Care Practices Ever
All self care practices are not created equally. Some self care practices (deep breathing, reading, nutritionally dense meals, etc.) you can indulge in to your heart’s content, whereas others have a bit of a shorter shelf life in terms of effectiveness (like watching TV for hours on end, eating brownies,...
Continue Reading
7 Greatest Health Hacks Under $100
Jul 10, 2018
Jordan Gray
7 Greatest Health Hacks Under $100
To radically improve your health, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on exercise machines and exotic supplements. Feeling better and brighter every day comes down to utilizing a few basic tools.  The available options for diets, workout plans, and contradictory health tips are an endless sea....
Continue Reading
The Long Term Investment Strategy Of Finding Your True Love
Feb 24, 2014
Jordan Gray
The Long Term Investment Strategy Of Finding Your True Love
There are two ways you can go about getting anything in life. The short cut, or the long road. There are pros and cons to each but, overall, I think you intuitively know that we don't value that which we don't work for. And good things come to those who wait. What's Wrong With Rush...
Continue Reading
7 Of My Favourite Quotes That Will Turn You Into A Better Person
Dec 22, 2018
Jordan Gray
7 Of My Favourite Quotes That Will Turn You Into A Better Person
I, Jordan Gray, am a quote junkie.  Every close friend, confidante, and fellow growth warrior in the trenches of life alongside me knows that a pre-requisite of being in my life is being comfortable with me starting every fifth sentence with the words, “That reminds me of the quote…” I...
Continue Reading
Wanted: Strong Men For Soft Times
Jan 5, 2020
Jordan Gray
Wanted: Strong Men For Soft Times
The majority of modern men are soft. And the world is suffering as a result. We live in a time of unprecedented prosperity and ease. And before you point your finger at the billionaires at the top, point your finger back at yourself and acknowledge just how fucking easy your life is compared to the...
Continue Reading
The 60 Day Radical Self-Care Challenge
Jul 24, 2016
Jordan Gray
The 60 Day Radical Self-Care Challenge
Self-care is often seen as a self-indulgent luxury reserved for people with a high sense of self-importance, and that’s a problem. It's cool to be soooo busy. The societal narrative goes that it's impressive to not have enough time to rest, play, or sleep well. The word 'selfish' has been demonized. The...
Continue Reading