Seasonal Depression and Mindfulness | Orlando Counselor

By Jim WestPublished On: January 6th, 20231.7 min read

As we begin each year, it’s important to be aware of seasonal depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, affects many of us during the fall and winter seasons. This is not just the winter blues or holiday stress, but a form of real depression that can leave us feeling hopeless and low on energy. To distinguish holiday frustration from SAD, we should examine the symptoms of SAD.

This disorder is characterized by low energy, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, anxiety, social withdrawal, changes in sleep and appetite, and a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s possible that you may be suffering from SAD. However, there are various tasks that can help you overcome these obstacles. Creating a schedule that allows enough time for rest, healthy eating, and regular exercise can be beneficial. Spending time outside, socializing, and taking trips can also help replace negative energy with a positive lifestyle. It’s important to remember that we all have tough moments in life that bring stress. It’s okay to have a bad day.

However, SAD is a form of depression, and if you believe you may be experiencing this disorder, it’s time to seek professional help. There are countless professionals who are ready and willing to guide you back to a joyful state. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it. Remember that there is hope and that you’re not alone.

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=In%20most%20cases%2C%20SAD%20symptoms,pattern%20SAD%20or%20summer%20depression.

Call our In-person and Virtual Teen Counselors in Orlando for help now at 407-248-0030! We also have teen counselors near Altamonte in Winter Park, Lake Mary, Clermont, East Orlando Waterford Lakes Avalon Park, Dr Phillips Windermere. We also help with EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma and treat ADHD often without medication and the News Media called us 200+ times for our mental health advice.

Edited by: TLC Intern Alyssa Champion

Jim West

Adolescent Expert, Jim West offers expert advice to Local and National TV News & Schools Internationally and provides phone or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Jim is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified and State Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Jim has been interviewed for multiple TV, Radio, magazine and newspaper articles. He is president of Total Life Counseling Center and his Total Life approach accelerates the therapeutic & healing process by relating to children, adolescents and adults and incorporating wellness. Jim’s clients travel from all over Florida, England, Georgia, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas as he has been able to treat clients with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Depression and more with FDA approved supplements and Dietary Modifications. 85% of his clients have not needed medication or used less medication than when they first came to Total Life Counseling Center.

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Filed in: Adults, Blog, Depression, Family, Grief, Healthy eating, Parenting, Self Harm, self-care, self-esteem, Self-growth, Teens

Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, masters level therapists, Español counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, business coaches, and image enhancement coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. TLC’s family, trauma and marriage experts have been interviewed on National and Local TV/Radio over 200 times for their expert advice on Fox News, OWN, WETV, ABC’s Medical Minute and more. Our skilled counselors are relational, approachable and specialists providing therapy services in the Central Florida area including: Orlando, Winter Park, MetroWest, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, East Orlando, Lake Mary, and Clermont, Boca Raton Florida, and Dallas, TX.