For many people, springtime can be a time of increased happiness, as the weather warms, days lengthen, and flowers begin to bloom. However, for others it can be a time of increased anxiety and depression. Statistics indicate there is a surge in suicides in the springtime. There are a number of reasons for this. First, those individuals who struggle with Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) are still recovering from the winter blues. There is often pressure (sometimes from ourselves) to be happy and outgoing, and when it doesn’t happen as soon as we want, this can spark a cycle of increasing depression. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to help ourselves or our loved ones when springtime depression sets in.

Understand That You Are Not Alone

Recent studies have indicated that springtime depression is sometimes due to increased pollen count and at other times is caused by a disorder called Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder and at still other times due to anniversaries? in your own life. Regardless of the cause of the depression, you are not alone. It may seem that everyone else is happy, but this is simply not the case. Be compassionate and loving with yourself. Seek support from people who understand you and who understand depression. Good counselors can be an excellent resource in helping you navigate difficult periods of time in your life.

Get 8 Hours Sleep

Yes, eight hours. Not six and a half or seven. There is plenty of research pointing to a direct correlation between poor sleep and depression. If you are struggling with depression, you should make sure you are getting a full eight hours of sleep a night. If it takes you an hour to get to sleep at night, then count on nine hours. Lying in bed worrying about the day does not count as sleep. This may be the number one most important thing that you can do for your well-being.

Increase Self-Care

Spend time with people you love and in activities you enjoy. Create a wellness Journal where you can list activities that you enjoy. Regularly schedule a self-care activity daily and be sure that you spent at least one hour each day caring for yourself. Do not cancel your self-care because you have other “more important” responsibilities. There is nothing more important than love and feeding? of yourself.

Avoid Self-Isolation

As humans, we are social creatures. One of the worst things we can do when feeling depressed is to self-isolate. It is important that we proactively spent time with loved ones and friends.

Get the Support Of a Counselor

Nearly every counselor will have experience in treating depression; however, you should seek one with experience treating Seasonal Effective Disorder. Because depression is a biological condition related to brain chemicals, it is not weak to seek out the support of a counselor. Just as it is not weak for a professional athlete to seek the services of a personal trainer. Can you get yourself out of the “spring blues” without the help of a counselor? Perhaps, but why run the risk of not being successful? Can you imagine an Olympic athlete turning down the advice of a personal trainer, stating that “I am going to do it on my own?”