3 Tips for Beating Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Workplace

Is Seasonal Affective Disorder getting you down? Also known as SAD, this common ailment can be seen in office workers throughout the country during the dark days of winter. There is certainly a severity spectrum surrounding SAD, as it may not affect everyone, or even two different people, in the same way. Characterized as, “The winter blues,” Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms range from irritability and lethargy to depression and a lack of energy. Here are three tips for beating it in the office.

SAD at Work: 3 Tips for Beating the Blues

1. Make the Most out of Daylight

Maximizing daylight hours is the best way to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder; consider how your desk and task lighting are currently set up. Move lights behind your computer monitor to minimize glare and combat Computer Vision Syndrome. If possible, sit near a window that allows for lots of natural light. It’s a good idea to start working out during lunchtime or taking frequent outdoor walks to enjoy the few hours of daylight while they last.

2. Take Your Vitamins

Many of SAD’s affects are because of a lack of Vitamin D naturally provided by the sun. There is compelling research that Vitamin D deficiencies may lead to depression, so a multivitamin is recommended to stay upbeat and positive in the winter.

3. Invest in a UV Lamp

To combat the lack of sunlight during the day, you can invest in a UV lamp or a Day and Night lamp that is designed to stimulate the body based on the time of day. Many models are set to provide the user with extra energy in the morning to encourage wakefulness, while they offer a dimmer, calmer light at night to aid in sleep. Using one of these lamps at work can help you feel like you’re on a regular schedule even when the sun is setting early.

While your body may only need 30 minutes of sun per day to stay healthy, up to two hours is ideal and you may begin to feel down when the sun is out for shorter periods of time, like in the winter. How do you beat the negative consequences of Seasonal Affective Disorder? Please share in the comments below.