Autumn time affects not only poets and artists, but also the mental and physical state of many of us. And now you hear more and more often from friends and co-workers complaints about bad mood, depression, disappointment in life, emotional experiences. "This is an autumn depression," many people say. But not everyone understands what it is.
So, what is autumnal depression and why does autumn affect us so much?
Autumn depression is one of the types of seasonal depression, from a medical point of view - a serious disease.
Symptoms of autumn depression are melancholy, lethargy, memory and attention disorders, decreased efficiency, drowsiness, increased apetitis.
Scientists identify three factors that cause autumn depression.
First, this change in weather conditions. Hippocrates also wrote about the dependence of the state of depressed patients on the season and weather conditions. With the departure of summer, warmth, withering of nature, thoughts of unjustified hopes, disappointments, everything that we so waited for this summer, and what has not come true, come involuntarily. "Chicks in the fall," says the popular saying. So we, bringing in the fall the result of unfulfilled desires, fall into this inexplicable "yellow-rusty melancholy", autumn depression. Life is seen in a completely different light, we look with disappointment at our work, relationships with others, financial problems, family matters. It starts to seem that everything is bad, even if in fact everything is in order.
The second factor is the lack of sunlight. Scientists have determined that reducing daylight hours is one of the main causes of autumn depression. The fact is that serotonin (a hormone that is responsible for a good mood) is formed in the light. In the dark, serotonin is converted to melatonin. And with rising levels of melatonin there is an irresistible desire to sleep. The amount of serotonin in the body directly affects the psychological state of a person. And in women, the amount of serotonin is initially half as much as that of men. Therefore, we are more prone to seasonal depression.
And, finally, the third factor contributing to the development of seasonal depression is hypo- and avitaminosis. Do not forget that with the advent of cold weather our body especially needs vitamins. Do not forget to include fruits and vegetables in your diet more often. Particularly important vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is found in carrots, melons, tomatoes, spinach, green onions, cottage cheese, liver, eggs. Vitamin C - in potatoes, sauerkraut , lemon, hawthorn, dogrose.
What can help to get out of the state of autumn depression?
The main thing is to make a decision and not give in to despondency. Try to tune in to a positive perception of the environment. Visit theaters, movies, meet friends, often go out into the open air, especially on sunny days. A great role for recovery can play sports. After all, physical exercises contribute to the production of serotonin. In addition, vitamins, aromatherapy and the use of foods that increase the amount of serotonin (dates, plums, bananas, figs, tomatoes) will help to get out of the state of autumn depression. And do not forget about a good dream. A full-fledged sleep is especially important for a weakened organism.
If this condition lasts for several months, then you need to seek help from a specialist psychotherapist.
Ksenia Ivanova , especially for the site