Are the colder months particularly difficult for you and your loved one? Well, the possibility of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affecting either of you could indeed exist. This particular form of serious depression typically strikes people in the winter. People whose ability to spend time outdoors is restricted by inclement weather, diminished mobility, or illness are more susceptible. In this article, we will explain to you the nature of seasonal affective disorder and how a retirement home in Gretna, LA can help you to prevent and to combat the condition, so that you may make the most of your senior living experience.
What Is the Nature of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Simply explained, seasonal mood disorder is a period of low mood that is most common in the winter when there is the least amount of daylight. Our normal circadian cycles might be disturbed and hormones can fluctuate as a result of less sunlight exposure. The issue is made more serious by the inability to go outside during the scant amount of daylight that is present. Vitamin D is a nutrient that humans require sunlight to synthesize and that is associated to sadness.
Obtaining Sufficient Vitamin D
Because it boosts immune function to fight SAD, and promotes bone and cardiovascular health, vitamin D is crucial for supporting both your mental and physical well-being. This vitamin is often consumed by food or sun exposure. Although vitamin D is crucial for people of all ages, it is particularly critical for retirees who are at higher risk of osteoporosis, depression, and excessive tiredness. Seniors’ bodies are less effective in converting sunlight into vitamin D, yet many medical professionals are reluctant to advise seniors to spend more hours in the sun because doing so increases their risk of skin cancer. The simplest way to ensure that your body gets the vitamins it needs is to change your diet!
Light Therapy
Walk outside as often as you are able to, for some clean air and to take in as much sunshine as you possibly can, because all of this can improve your mood and fight depression. If you have trouble moving about, you can get similar results by just adjusting the blinds or curtains and reclining by a window. Another effective SAD therapy is light therapy, which employs exposures to natural sunlight or a light box to activate your senses and boost your body’s natural production of vitamin D. If you happen to be utilizing a light box, set it up in front of your body, off-center, and avoid looking at it directly. Use it daily for about an hour to improve your mood.
Exercise
Daily physical activity, including exercise, lowers general tension and anxiety, which lessens SAD symptoms. Exercise also helps to exhaust the body, which enhances the quality and length of sleep. Simple home fitness regimens that get older folks moving while simultaneously boosting their strength and lowering their risk of falling are beneficial. It might be challenging to find time to exercise when you are a caregiver, notably in the chilly winter months. Finding methods to fit in quick exercises in your residence is a terrific strategy to stay active; the benefits rapidly add up.
