Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common condition that can be treated with light therapy and regular therapy. Exercise, particularly walking, can help ease SAD symptoms by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Psychotherapy can also be effective in reducing distress and deterioration caused by SAD. But is moving to a warmer climate really worth the money, time, and personal hassle?Certainly, if your SAD symptoms are severe, moving to a warmer climate may be a viable strategy.
But there are other ways to be happier even if you live in a depressing place. Research shows that sun and heat can improve your mood, but overall, moving for the good weather is probably not worth the effort. Before the pandemic, 11 percent of Americans reported that they had moved at least once in their lives to find a better climate. But there are better strategies to be happier, even if you live in a depressing place. Light therapy is one of the most effective treatments for SAD.
It involves exposing yourself to bright light for a certain amount of time each day. This helps to regulate your body's circadian rhythm and improve your mood. Regular therapy can also help significantly reduce distress and deterioration caused by SAD symptoms. Exercising, especially walking, can also help ease seasonal affective disorder by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. These are the chemicals that make you feel good.
Believe me, they want to feel good. They just need a little help from you. In cases of mild depression, psychotherapy may be effective on its own or in combination with medications to treat moderate to severe depression. Most existing research evidence supports the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy.So while moving to a warmer climate may be an option for those with severe SAD symptoms, it is not necessarily the best solution. There are other strategies that can help you cope with seasonal depression without having to move.
