MIND. On Seasonal Affective Disorder.

I recall a professor discussing Seasonal Affective Disorder (appropriately abbreviated SAD) my first year of med school, saying, “Perhaps it’s not so much that we have seasonal affective disorder, as we do a defective affect with the seasons.”

This really struck me the moment I heard it. When there is such a sharp contrast to seasons - sunny summers with abundant light exposure juxtaposed with gray, cloud-covered days with 3:30 PM sunsets - it can truly be saddening. The point I believe my professor was aiming at was, even through this sharp contrast of season, we humans expect ourselves to operate at just the same level through all seasons: the same work schedule, demands, sleeping schedule. We push at the same speed all year round. And for many, increase the throttle around the Holidays when it is the darkest time of the year.

Contrast that with what all other things of the natural world do (which, gentle reminder - we are a part of, too): slow down, sleep more, make time for rest, go inwards. This orientation gave me the permission to feel the change of the season, and actually try to follow it. Though my work schedule stays the same, I allow myself to sleep longer, do more introverted activities and try to mimic this natural cycle instead of fighting against it. While our culture may expect us to go at the same speed all seasons, perhaps in our own ways we can invite ways to decelerate and have it feel actually nourishing, and dare I say, natural. 

So, if you are like any of my patients, family, friends, and myself, when I begin to pathologize at this same time of year, every year, “Gosh, I just feel tired.” Thyroid? Adrenals? Low iron? Poor quality sleep? Depression creeping in? As an experiment, perhaps give yourself permission to simply slow down. Sleep a little extra. Be ok with more alone time. And allow yourself to fall into step with the rhythm of this season.

*Note: I am not saying do not get profound fatigue checked out by a medical provider. This is meant as an alternate/additional thought to fatigue specific to time of year.