Unfortunately, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that affects up to 3 out of 100 people in the UK at some point during their lifetime. The symptoms for SAD mainly tend to start displaying themselves when people are in their 20s and 30s, but it is a condition that can also affect kids too. We have come up with an essential guide to how you can support loved ones and family and friends suffering from SAD this winter and provide them with an important boost of optimism that they need.
Encourage Them to Stay Active and Go Outdoors and Leave the House During Winter
Do you have a loved one who you feel has got themselves a little too accustomed to spending all their time staying indoors during the recent lockdowns of the pandemic and you fear they may not get out and about enough this winter? A great idea is to invite them out to do outdoor activities with you during the winter. However cold it may be in the winter months, try and encourage them to get some insulated winter clothes and go out for a bike ride, a jog in the park, or a scenic walk up a hill or mountain. Alternatively, you may want to encourage your loved one to do indoor sports during the winter, this could potentially include playing racket sports indoors, 5-a-side football, dance classes, gym exercises or whatever physical activity you can think of.
Surprise Your Loved One with Something Special as a Little Pick-Me-Up in the Winter
Anyone feeling down during the winter months and suffering from SAD needs a little pick-me-up and an injection of positivity into their life every now and then. Are you considering what you could buy for your loved one to help provide them with a little bit of optimism and happiness during the winter? To lift their spirits, look into getting your loved one next day delivery gifts such as gift boxes, hampers, and personalised gifts from Gift Delivery.
Make Sure They Know You’re Only Just a Phone Call Away
It’s vital that you ensure your loved ones know that it’s easy for them to contact you should they ever feel like they need you and want a chat at any point. Make sure your loved ones can contact you by various ways through phone calls, text messages, WhatsApp, email, postal letters, and social media, this way you’re easier to get hold of rather than just having one method of communication open.
Staying in good regular contact and communicating with their support network is essential for ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of your close ones remains healthy during the winter. If your loved one finds themselves feeling estranged from their friends and family, they may quickly develop depression and start to get down. For keeping upbeat during the winter, communicating with others is key. Make sure your loved ones know that you’re somebody they can always lean on for support during the wintertime.
Make an extra effort this winter to ensure that your loved ones are safe, doing well, and staying active. If you get any red flags indicating to you that their mental wellbeing is deteriorating at any stage, provide them with continual support and contact the relevant medical services if needs be.
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