Getting Through Seasonal Affective Disorder with Hiking

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava

Seasonal affective disorder is now recognized as a genuine medical issue. If you aren’t sure what it is, you may already be experiencing it. In the past, it was called the Winter Blues and was dismissed as something trivial. However, recent studies have shown that it can be very detrimental to your health and well-being, as well as affecting your social life and work. You can combat SAD with physical activity and nature, both of which you get en masse with hiking.

What the Heck is SAD?

Commonly known as the Winter Blues, SAD is a depressive condition that feels much like any other. Not much is known about why most people don’t experience it, and some do, but it can be demanding in your life. There is some suggestion that SAD happens because of the shorter days and less exposure to natural light, with some evidence to support this. However, it can be a symptom of other disorders that also require mental health treatment, such as depression.

Why Does SAD Happen?

There is some suggestion that SAD is a response to lack of sunlight. This prevents a part of your brain from working as it should and lowers the amount of melatonin your brain produces. This causes an imbalance among other hormones, such as cortisol and serotonin, which leads to a depressive feeling. The feelings of SAD are very similar to other depressive disorders, such as severe depression and anxiety, and are made worse if you have an existing depressive issue.