As the leaves begin to change colors and the air grows crisp, the majority of people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of seasonal mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, lethargy, low motivation and poor concentration. It affects around 2 million people in the U.S. each year and it’s thought that up to 70 percent of people living in the Northern Hemisphere experience SAD at some point in their lives. The use of essential oils to help improve mood and combat SAD is a natural remedy that can be used alongside other treatments such as light therapy and exercise to help you get through the fall and winter months with a smile on your face and a spring in your step again!
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, lethargy, low motivation and poor concentration. It affects around 2 million people in the U.S. each year and it’s thought that up to 70 percent of people living in the Northern Hemisphere experience SAD at some point in their lives. During the fall and winter months, the days are shorter, the nights are longer, and there’s less daylight, which can trigger SAD. It’s thought that SAD affects people differently depending on their genes and the weather patterns in their area. For example, those who are red or orange-red-hued are more likely to experience SAD. Those who are blue-hued are less likely to be affected.
When you’re suffering from SAD, the last thing you want to do is expose your body to artificial light, which SAD is often treated with. However, exposing your body to artificial light is also the perfect way to treat SAD with essential oils. As well as being a non-invasive and natural treatment option, essential oils are also versatile and can be used in a number of ways. They can be added to your bath and used as a massage oil, added to your diet in capsules or in gum form, used to make your own body or home fragrance, or even combined with other medications to help speed up the healing process and improve your health.
When choosing essential oils for SAD, it’s best to select oils that are known for their uplifting properties. Some essential oils that are great for uplifting your mood include: - Frankincense - Bergamot - Elemi - Lime - Lemon - Mandarin - Neroli - Oregano - Tangerine - Vanilla - Ylang-Ylang - Coriander - Cardamom - Cinnamon - Dill - Eucalyptus - Lemongrass - Limes - Mint - Nutmeg - Oregano - Papaya - Roses - Sage - Teak - Rosemary - Tansy - Thyme
When you’re feeling the effects of SAD and need to lift your spirits, the best thing you can do is to expose your mind and body to as much brightness as possible. Start by using artificial light as often as you can, but also consider using natural light whenever possible.For example, when you wake up, open the blinds, take a bath, or eat your breakfast, try to expose your body to as much brightness as you can.
Exercising is a great way to combat SAD as it not only lifts your spirits, but also helps your body to produce melatonin, which is a chemical that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. When you exercise, you produce more melatonin, which in turn can help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.While it’s important to avoid overexercising during the fall and winter months, you can also use it to your advantage. For example, when you exercise, you can expose your body to more light, which can help you to combat SAD.
The fall and winter months can be tough, but using essential oils to combat SAD and improve mood can help to make the most of the shorter days. With these tips, you should be able to manage your SAD and improve your mood with ease. From the use of artificial light to the consumption of essential oils, there are many ways you can counteract SAD and improve your mental health.