Why Is Anxiety Associated with Seasonal Change?


Do you feel like ignoring all your deadlines and basking in the Sun on a beach in the middle of winter? Have you ever felt the gloomy fall atmosphere sitting deep down in your mind? Do you get panic attacks while preparing for the festive winter season? All this happens due to anxiety associated with seasonal change. You may either call it Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). You may find many mental health treatment options at medambien if the symptoms get severe. You may experience physical symptoms of anxiety if it gets serious. It may start from fatigue and tiredness, and over time, you may develop headaches, muscular pain, nausea, and sickness. Instead of treating these physical symptoms, anxiety must be addressed to eradicate the root cause. 

Autumn Anxiety 
If you have thought that only winter blues exist and fall is a better season for mental health, you are not right. Falling leaves lower your motivation level. In addition, this is the time you begin to reflect on your entire year. Lack of achievement, break-ups, missed opportunities, everything terrible through the year gets on your nerves. The result is anxiety and emotional breakdown. 

Take A Pause and Restart 
Your ongoing personal and professional deadlines, expectations, not-yet-achieved goals and much more combine together to give you those anxiety and panic attacks. The gloominess of the weather takes it to the next level. To cope with this reason behind anxiety associated with seasonal change, remember that you are not a machine. Prioritize your tasks and drop the things you can get away with. Stop comparing yourself with others for the sake of a peaceful life. 

Entertain Yourself 
Entertainment is the best antidote to anxiety. Enjoy your favourite music, watch your favourite television show or enjoy your favourite podcast. Watch the movies which have been for too long on your wish list. Join some art or dance class. Try having a bicycle race with your friends and forget your anxiety. These are not the only options because even the sky is not the limit when it comes to the possibilities for entertainment. 

Have Me-time 
Being busy and anxious over the tasks at hand is not an excuse to ignore yourself. Hit your bucket list when the season is changing because you get holidays. Treat yourself to a dessert you always wanted to try. Get the haircut that attracted you in a magazine. Dress up and have a cup of tea in your favourite restaurant. Visit a spa or have some other pampering services and feel the soothing effect of calming down all your anxieties. 

Maintain Your Circadian Rhythm 
Circadian rhythm is the internal clock of our bodies and helps us set the sleep, eating and other schedules for our bodies. However, it needs help from sunlight to function properly. When the season changes, we get lesser sunlight, and as a result, our circadian rhythm gets disturbed. This disturbance, in turn, creates mood disorders, anxiety and depression. The situation worsens when the weather remains cloudy or rainy for many days at a stretch. The solution to this problem is box lighting or artificial sunlamps. These lamps provide fake sunlight, which is very close to the actual sunlight. If possible, place them everywhere around your home and workplace where you spend most of your time. However, sitting in front of such a lamp for thirty to forty minutes is enough. 

Be Proactive 
We get holidays with seasonal changes. Instead of sitting idly at home and wondering what to do, plan. We are not suggesting those fancy holidays which can cost you a leg and an arm. Plan something which is within your budget limits. On the other hand, preparations for indulgent holidays do not necessarily require going out of town. Get creative and plan the type of fun you would love to do. A lazy stroll across your lane in the afternoon can work wonders for you. There are endless options if you give a little thought to productive, relaxing and enjoyable holidays. We only suggest not to go overwhelmed with preparations and increase your anxiety. 

Avoid Alcohol 
Alcohol is bad for nerves, and we know this fact well. Moreover, it creates anxiety among alcohol drinkers. People usually go drinking to avoid depression caused by seasonal changes and end up with a higher stress level. Learn to divert your mind from drinking. Try replacing alcohol with caffeine which is the better option and, in some cases, eases anxiety and panic attacks. 

Last Words 
The change of seasons is a natural phenomenon that we cannot control. However, our anxiety and sadness associated with seasonal change can be handled easily. Be mindful and identify the reason for such anxiety. We have mentioned several reasons, but still, you might have your own. Consult a psychiatrist, and don’t take such anxieties lightly.