Feeling down in the dumps and low in energy even though the sun is shining? You could be suffering from summer SAD.
Editor Jane Garton looks at possible triggers and suggests some natural solutions.
The sun is shining, holidays are on the horizon and everyone around you has a smile on their face but for you just getting through the day is a struggle. What’s more you often feel miserable and lethargic for no apparent reason and can’t get any pleasure from the things you usually enjoy doing. You just can’t work out what’s the matter. A possible answer is you are going through a bout of summer depression or SAD[1].
Although many of us have heard about the ‘winter blues’, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), few know about its summer counterpart, summer SAD or ‘reverse seasonal depression’. It’s not known what triggers summer SAD but it’s thought that the increased exposure to sunlight and rising temperature in summer are key causes, although genes may also play a part.
Here are some natural remedies that might help to lift your spirits.
ST. JOHN’S WORT
The well-known and trusted supplement St John’s wort boosts levels of endorphins – the body’s own ‘happy hormones’ – to help improve mood and has been proven to be clinically effective in treating mild-to-moderate depression[2]. Always consult your doctor before taking if you are on other medication as it can have a negative interaction.
VALERIAN
Many people with summer SAD have problems sleeping, which can make symptoms worse. Valerian helps to encourage restful sleep, while St John’s wort can also be taken for insomnia as it helps boost levels of melatonin – the hormone that helps regulate the quantity and quality of sleep.
5-HTP
Occurring naturally in the body, 5-HTP is a precursor to the important brain messenger serotonin – vital for maintaining a good mood and promoting refreshing sleep.
TRY THESE:
Self-help tactics for summer SAD are different to winter SAD solutions where artificial sunlight is key.
- Open windows at night in the hot weather and use a cooling fan in your bedroom.
- Use blackout curtains or blinds rather than ordinary curtains to help keep light out of your bedroom.
- Try to avoid bright light by wearing sunglasses whenever possible.
- Have frequent cooling showers when the weather is hot.
- Take ice-cold water bottles or cooling blankets to bed.
- Exercise regularly as this can help boost the production of endorphins.
For more advice on low mood and depression visit the feeling blue website.
[1] http://www.webmd.com/depression/summer-depression
[2] Ng QX, Venkatanarayanan N, Ho CY. Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2017 Mar 1;210:211-221. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048. Epub 2017 Jan 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 28064110.
