Children & Seasonal Depression
Children and Seasonal Depression
First let me make it known that I am NOT a licensed therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. This blog post is for sharing information, what I have experienced and studied. I want you to gather information and for you to do your own research on the subject matter.
4 Tips for a better mood:
Education: Explain what are possible outcomes and how it can be handled.
Change of environment: Try a park, museum or travel.
Moving the body: Exercise, qigong, doing art or ceramic class
Somatic/Talk Therapy: Allowing the child to talk it out can be very therapeutic as well.
With that being said, let’s look at what is this thing called Seasonal Depression. SAD: Seasonal affective disorder, is the name given to a dis-order of depression that appears at the same time each year, for most this happens as winter approaches. Typically, showing symptoms when daylight hours are shorter, but when spring returns and the days lengthen, many experience relief from their symptoms.
What are some of the symptoms?
Low energy
Lost of interest in general and in things that use to interest them
Change in sleep pattern
Irritability
Difficulty focusing (could cause a significant drop in grades)
Depression
Withdrawn
And more…
What causes SAD?
There are many different theories out there and I will go into a few here for you to consider.
The brain’s response to decreased daylight. Because of the drop in daylight time the brain may produce an imbalanced levels of serotonin and melatonin.
Some believe it’s unresolved trauma. Is it possible a person experienced trauma during this season? (whenever there is an onset of symptoms) Since trauma from the past can be pinged into present time when the environment is similar to the time the trauma happened.
What can you do?
Increase Time Outside
If weather permits, spend more time outside. You can take a quick walk or do some exercises. This should help keep you warm in areas where it would be quite chilly out.
Talk Therapy
Allowing your child to talk out what they are experiencing could help tremendously. Educating your child (age appropriately) on how the brain, mind and chemistry works and how that is showing up for them can be life transforming. Just having knowledge about what is happening is a powerful tool to help them overcome and/or manage symptoms.
Light Therapy
Light therapy has been beneficial for many different dis-eases of the body and mind. This involves using light to influence and enhance mood and the circadian rhythm; which is associated with patterns of sleep and so much more. Do your research there are lamps, glasses and light bulbs on the market that offer this therapy.
There so many benefits that come from grounding, especially in improving your mood. This method has to do with connecting to and being in synch with the Earth. Think about it the Earth has been around for trillions of years through every season and she continues to flourish. She can teach us a thing or two about being in harmony and balance. Here is one of my favorite grounding mats, children and adult friendly. Get it here.
Diet
Earlier we talked about serotonin and melatonin. Try eating foods that are high in melatonin such as cherries, salmon, eggs and magnesium rich foods. Strive for an overall good diet to help keep the body healthy and balanced.
Medication
I always believe medication should be the last resort and for extreme cases. I personally believe there is so much holistic methods out there that a person shouldn’t have to turn to prescription drugs. The body was meant to heal on it’s own and adjust to the seasons just like the earth. We just have to help it out by allowing it to be in balanced. As always, I suggest you do what is best for you and your family.
Cultural Light Center Can Help
We understand that when your child isn’t their best it affects the entire family. We offer holistic education to our families, talk therapy, meditation and qigong classes, emotional intelligence classes. All to help your loved ones thrive and prosper!
Want to know more about our services?
Check out the website www.culturallightcenter.com
Email us @culturallightcenter@gmail.com