Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Many people experience mood changes or where they do not really feel like themselves when the seasons change and the weather begins to get colder. This is especially common in the farming community because being outside in the sun and warmer weather is part of a farmer’s livelihood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also commonly known as seasonal depression is common among all walks of life and is often attributed to the shorter days and colder weather. While seasonal depression can look different for everyone, some common symptoms of SAD are oversleeping, overeating and weight gain, and social withdrawal.
Tips to curb your seasonal depression:
- Only try to control what you can. Sometimes, a bad day on the farm can make you feel like you have a bad life. Always try to see the bright side and remember that these colder and shorter days will soon end with the coming of Spring.
- Limit your intake of social media and news outlets. When the days get shorter, many are forced to spend more time inside consuming news and media. This can cause you to look differently on your life and make you feel like your life, farm, or family is less than the others around you. Remember that social media is not always true and keep a positive outlook on what is in front of you.
- Find something to look forward to in both the short-term and long-term. Look for both little and big things that keep your mind off the weather and daylight. This can help keep you out of a slump in the colder months and give you a reason to keep progressing forward.
- Take time to socialize during the off months of farming. This time of the year is perfect for you, your family, and your friends to spend quality time together that is so often missed during the busy farming season. This also gives you something to look forward to and, once again, keeps you mind off of sadness.
