Yoga For Seasonal Affective Disorder: Meaning, Causes, Benefits, and More
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects around 5% of adults in the United States. And the most problematic part? IT lasts for nearly 40% of the year. We bet many of you are hearing about it for the first time. But those who live with it, they know how SAD feels like - being trapped in deep, dark hole with no ladder in sight.
Don’t worry, Ekattva Yogshala is here to throw a ladder down to you. A way using which you can climb out naturally. No need to rely on medications. That ladder we are talking about is yoga. Surprise, surprise! This age-old practice connecting body, mind, and breath might actually be your way back to light.
But before we roll out on the mat, let’s address questions like:
- What seasonal affective disorder truly is?
- What causes it?
- How does it manifest?
- And most importantly, how can yoga help you deal with it?
Alright, we bet you’re now ready to rise above winter blues before they try to pull you down. Let’s go!
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that follows the rhythm of seasons. We know you must be thinking, “Wait, what?” It’s true. It often shows up when sunlight fades and days grow shorter. People with SAD feel like their bodies’ internal clock has suddenly lost its sync. It’s not just the sun that went down but also their mood.
They feel unusually tired, withdrawn, or hopeless. Even when nothing looks WRONG on the surface. Many people think it’s just in their heads. But actually, it’s a biological and emotional response to changing light patterns.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
We won’t leave you on a cliffhanger and skip directly to address the yoga connection with seasonal affective disorder. This depression doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere in an individual.
Here are the main factors that trigger SAD:
Reduced sunlight exposure
During autumn when daylight shrinks, your body receives less sunlight. This decreases internal biological clock (circadian rhythm) that governs your sleep, mood and hormones. When it is dark, your system finds it difficult to keep up the balance. Thus, you feel sluggish and depressed.
Disruption of circadian rhythm
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects around 5% of adults in the United States. And the most problematic part? IT lasts for nearly 40% of the year. We bet many of you are hearing about it for the first time. But those who live with it, they know how SAD feels like - being trapped in deep, dark hole with no ladder in sight.
Don’t worry, Ekattva Yogshala is here to throw a ladder down to you. A way using which you can climb out naturally. No need to rely on medications. That ladder we are talking about is yoga. Surprise, surprise! This age-old practice connecting body, mind, and breath might actually be your way back to light.
But before we roll out on the mat, let’s address questions like:
- What seasonal affective disorder truly is?
- What causes it?
- How does it manifest?
- And most importantly, how can yoga help you deal with it?
Alright, we bet you’re now ready to rise above winter blues before they try to pull you down. Let’s go!
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that follows the rhythm of seasons. We know you must be thinking, “Wait, what?” It’s true. It often shows up when sunlight fades and days grow shorter. People with SAD feel like their bodies’ internal clock has suddenly lost its sync. It’s not just the sun that went down but also their mood.
They feel unusually tired, withdrawn, or hopeless. Even when nothing looks WRONG on the surface. Many people think it’s just in their heads. But actually, it’s a biological and emotional response to changing light patterns.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
We won’t leave you on a cliffhanger and skip directly to address the yoga connection with seasonal affective disorder. This depression doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere in an individual.
Here are the main factors that trigger SAD:
Reduced sunlight exposure
During autumn when daylight shrinks, your body receives less sunlight. This decreases internal biological clock (circadian rhythm) that governs your sleep, mood and hormones. When it is dark, your system finds it difficult to keep up the balance. Thus, you feel sluggish and depressed.
Disruption of circadian rhythm
The amount of sunlight that your brain receives is what makes it know when to be awake or to be sleepy. Having it disrupted by winter darkness bewilders your body. Sometimes, you could feel very sleepy throughout the day and very unable to rest at night. So much that you are left with an abiding feeling of fatigue and irritation.
Drop in serotonin levels
For those unaware, serotonin is also called a feel-good neurotransmitter. It is useful in keeping one emotionally stable. Sunlight triggers its production. But as days become darker, levels of serotonin diminish within people with seasonal affective disorder who don’t do yoga. You become more susceptible to mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Rise in melatonin production
The hormone that controls sleep is Melatonin. During darker seasons, your body will produce more of it. Sometimes, excessively. Even with adequate rest, excessive melatonin may cause you to become sleepy, slow and energy-depleting.
Genetic and biological factors
Yes, it’s true! SAD can also run in families. If your family members have suffered depression or bipolar disorder, chances are that you are likely affected. The reaction of your body to seasonal changes can also be influenced by your genes, brain chemistry, and hormone sensitivity to light.
Vitamin D deficiency
We all know that sunlight is our main source of Vitamin D. It also helps in the manufacture of serotonin. But during winter, access to the sun is restricted. Having low Vitamin D can also worsen the effects of SAD. Exacerbating the depressive mood and causing increased fatigue.
Do check out these resources as well:
Morning meditation for positive start
How to deepen your yoga practice
How Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Manifest?
Seasonal Affective Disorder does not come as an epiphany. It quietly creeps in, overlapping with everyday fatigue or even moodiness until it seems like one is trapped in an emotional fog and there’s no way out. As the days grow shorter, individuals with SAD may find that their energy levels are depleting.
Their motivation dwindles and mood drops without any obvious cause. Even the easiest tasks begin to become tiring. You may sleep a lot and yet you feel, “I could have slept more”. Some people also notice desire to eat heavy or sugary foods. They might want to spend time alone, not enjoying hanging out with friends and family.
It is as if everything has become grey - outside and in. Concentration weakens, irritability increases, and hopelessness or guilt sensations can start emerging. Severe cases may resemble major depression where the patient experiences constant sadness, anxiety or no interest in the joys of life.
Early detection of these symptoms will make it easy for you to take charge. But what exactly should you do to bring your mind and body back to rhythm with the seasons? How can you deal with seasonal affective disorder? The key is YOGA!
How Yoga Can Help You Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder?
For now, the world outside feels dim and heavy. But you can do yoga regularly to bring light back within! This ancient practice isn’t just about performing asanas. It’s the best way to make your body, mind, and emotions knock doors of each other and tell, “We need each other the most right now.”
Here’s how yoga helps combat seasonal affective disorder:
Boosts mood naturally
Yoga triggers body to release serotonin and endorphins a.k.a brain’s natural mood-lifters. Chest-opening poses like Cobra and Bridge can reverse the stooped position that has been associated with moodiness and exhaustion. Producing an immediate feeling of openness and vitality.
Improves blood flow and energy
Dynamic sequences like Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) make your body warmer. They increase circulation flow and awaken energy that winter blues usually choke. Even 10 -15 minutes a day of yoga can help you restore your inner rhythm and energize your mood ruined by seasonal affective disorder.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Mindfulness practices and breathing (Pranayama) - best yoga techniques to relax your nervous system. Deep breathing can slow your thoughts, lower cortisol levels, and restore inner peace. You can easily deal with emotional lows, that too with a better understanding and comfort.
Improves sleep quality
Evening length and meditative postures such as Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) or Child’s Pose encourage deep relaxation and balance melatonin production, which helps one to sleep more restfully.
Encourages connection and self-awareness
Yoga will enable you to be mindful and compassionate about yourself. It teaches you to listen to your feelings instead of struggling with them. Over time, you will develop the strength and learn to welcome the changes of seasons rather than fearing them.
Join Ekattva’s Yoga Programs To Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder
Alright, you now know everything crucial about performing yoga to deal with seasonal affective disorder. See, the problem indeed is real but so is the solution. It all comes to three-finger rule - right guidance, movement, and breath. Once you manage to master these, there’s no stopping you from reclaiming inner light even when the world outside feels dim.
Ekattva Yogshala offers both online and offline yoga retreats. Want to energise using physical postures? Need to do a calming meditation? How about focused breathwork or soulful mantra chanting? Our programs cover them all! Each designed to help you heal from within.
Here, check out our list of best offline and online yoga retreats for you:
Vedic mantra meditation retreat
Online meditation and breathing retreat
Contact us at info@spiritualpunditz.com in case of queries!
The amount of sunlight that your brain receives is what makes it know when to be awake or to be sleepy. Having it disrupted by winter darkness bewilders your body. Sometimes, you could feel very sleepy throughout the day and very unable to rest at night. So much that you are left with an abiding feeling of fatigue and irritation.
Drop in serotonin levels
For those unaware, serotonin is also called a feel-good neurotransmitter. It is useful in keeping one emotionally stable. Sunlight triggers its production. But as days become darker, levels of serotonin diminish within people with seasonal affective disorder who don’t do yoga. You become more susceptible to mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Rise in melatonin production
The hormone that controls sleep is Melatonin. During darker seasons, your body will produce more of it. Sometimes, excessively. Even with adequate rest, excessive melatonin may cause you to become sleepy, slow and energy-depleting.
Genetic and biological factors
Yes, it’s true! SAD can also run in families. If your family members have suffered depression or bipolar disorder, chances are that you are likely affected. The reaction of your body to seasonal changes can also be influenced by your genes, brain chemistry, and hormone sensitivity to light.
Vitamin D deficiency
We all know that sunlight is our main source of Vitamin D. It also helps in the manufacture of serotonin. But during winter, access to the sun is restricted. Having low Vitamin D can also worsen the effects of SAD. Exacerbating the depressive mood and causing increased fatigue.
Do check out these resources as well:
Morning meditation for positive start
How to deepen your yoga practice
How Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Manifest?
Seasonal Affective Disorder does not come as an epiphany. It quietly creeps in, overlapping with everyday fatigue or even moodiness until it seems like one is trapped in an emotional fog and there’s no way out. As the days grow shorter, individuals with SAD may find that their energy levels are depleting.
Their motivation dwindles and mood drops without any obvious cause. Even the easiest tasks begin to become tiring. You may sleep a lot and yet you feel, “I could have slept more”. Some people also notice desire to eat heavy or sugary foods. They might want to spend time alone, not enjoying hanging out with friends and family.
It is as if everything has become grey - outside and in. Concentration weakens, irritability increases, and hopelessness or guilt sensations can start emerging. Severe cases may resemble major depression where the patient experiences constant sadness, anxiety or no interest in the joys of life.
Early detection of these symptoms will make it easy for you to take charge. But what exactly should you do to bring your mind and body back to rhythm with the seasons? How can you deal with seasonal affective disorder? The key is YOGA!
How Yoga Can Help You Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder?
For now, the world outside feels dim and heavy. But you can do yoga regularly to bring light back within! This ancient practice isn’t just about performing asanas. It’s the best way to make your body, mind, and emotions knock doors of each other and tell, “We need each other the most right now.”
Here’s how yoga helps combat seasonal affective disorder:
Boosts mood naturally
Yoga triggers body to release serotonin and endorphins a.k.a brain’s natural mood-lifters. Chest-opening poses like Cobra and Bridge can reverse the stooped position that has been associated with moodiness and exhaustion. Producing an immediate feeling of openness and vitality.
Improves blood flow and energy
Dynamic sequences like Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) make your body warmer. They increase circulation flow and awaken energy that winter blues usually choke. Even 10 -15 minutes a day of yoga can help you restore your inner rhythm and energize your mood ruined by seasonal affective disorder.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Mindfulness practices and breathing (Pranayama) - best yoga techniques to relax your nervous system. Deep breathing can slow your thoughts, lower cortisol levels, and restore inner peace. You can easily deal with emotional lows, that too with a better understanding and comfort.
Improves sleep quality
Evening length and meditative postures such as Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) or Child’s Pose encourage deep relaxation and balance melatonin production, which helps one to sleep more restfully.
Encourages connection and self-awareness
Yoga will enable you to be mindful and compassionate about yourself. It teaches you to listen to your feelings instead of struggling with them. Over time, you will develop the strength and learn to welcome the changes of seasons rather than fearing them.
Join Ekattva’s Yoga Programs To Deal With Seasonal Affective Disorder
Alright, you now know everything crucial about performing yoga to deal with seasonal affective disorder. See, the problem indeed is real but so is the solution. It all comes to three-finger rule - right guidance, movement, and breath. Once you manage to master these, there’s no stopping you from reclaiming inner light even when the world outside feels dim.
Ekattva Yogshala offers both online and offline yoga retreats. Want to energise using physical postures? Need to do a calming meditation? How about focused breathwork or soulful mantra chanting? Our programs cover them all! Each designed to help you heal from within.
Here, check out our list of best offline and online yoga retreats for you:
Vedic mantra meditation retreat
Online meditation and breathing retreat
Contact us at info@spiritualpunditz.com in case of queries!
