By Public News Service’s Nadia Ramlagan
Many Kentuckians are suffering from the winter blues due to the shorter days and less sunlight.
According to a recent research, 40% of Americans say that the winter months cause them to feel less happy.
Preventive actions, such as exercising, spending more time outside, and increasing exposure to light, can help ward off the worst effects of seasonal affective disorder, according to Hannah Brosnan, executive director of Mental Health America of Kentucky, which provides anonymous, online mental health screenings.
According to Brosnan, less hours of sunlight during the winter can affect our serotonin levels, which in turn affect our mood. The hormone melatonin is generated at higher levels in the dark and has also been connected to seasonal depression.
According to Brosnan, there are numerous ways to treat seasonal affective disorder.
Brosnan stressed, “I definitely encourage them to talk to their doctor and their therapist and get some support through them.” People can also take care of themselves and do stress-relieving exercises like meditation.
Telehealth medical experts are trained to conduct assessments and provide referrals for individuals who might want more help or services around this time of year, according to Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual.
For instance, Randall said that a lot of United Healthcare members have access to the Calm app, which helps support their mental health.
Antidepressants and light therapy, which substitutes artificial light for lost sunshine, are the most often prescribed medications for treating seasonal depression, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
