How to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

With the clocks going back and the darker evenings and colder temperatures quickly becoming the norm, the change in season can be much more disruptive for some. The onset of winter can often trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and for those who suffer from it, it can mean a much lower mood than usual, poor sleep quality and even a lack of interest or enthusiasm when it comes to usual activities.

Also known as winter depression, SAD can make the winter months a lonely and sad place to be. Symptoms can often include feeling low, irritable or anxious as well as lacking in energy. However, there are some things you can try to help combat the effects of SAD.

Make small changes to your routine

Small lifestyle changes could make a difference, such as planning something nice to do with your time during the darker evenings. Using the evening to take a warm, relaxing bath could help to mitigate those feelings of stress or anxiety, and you could take it a step further by adding bath salts.

Magnesium bath salts in particular could be beneficial, as magnesium plays a role in creating melatonin and serotonin. These two hormones are responsible for sleep and happiness respectively, and could be important for battling SAD. Our magnesium flakes might be a great place to start, to help relax your mind while you take some time for yourself. Using these bath salts could help to keep your magnesium levels replenished, which in turn can promote healthy processes within the body.

Try aromatherapy

In many cases, SAD can leave you feeling unlike yourself, especially with poor sleep and even feelings of despair and lethargy. Aromatherapy has been known to promote better wellbeing and may help to look after your emotional health.

Our Westlab Sleep bath salts are created with natural Epsom and Dead Sea salts, infused with essential oils, jasmine, lavender, and valerian. Together these ingredients can calm and soothe your mind and body, while helping to promote a more peaceful night’s sleep.

These bath salts can create a fragrant and comforting environment that can help the body to understand that it’s time for sleep. This means the body and mind can prepare itself for a peaceful night and ensure you’re ready for a restorative sleep.

As well as offering aromatherapy benefits, our Sleep bath salts can also give you the chance to take time for yourself. After the pandemic and the onset of the colder, darker weather, looking after yourself has never been more important. The natural ingredients of our bath salts could make a real difference to your sleep pattern and your mood, giving you a greater chance of helping to ease the effects of SAD.