From exercising more to getting adequate sunlight exposure, these are some of the things seniors in Whittier, CA, can do to help reverse seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Maintaining social connections and prioritizing a healthy diet are also crucial techniques for overcoming seasonal sadness.
Implementing these seasonal depression tips is particularly vital for seniors, as they could be at a higher risk of mental conditions. As the U.S. CDC says, the life changes and health challenges they face may increase their risk of depression.
In this guide, the team at Discovery Commons Whittier, our welcoming senior living community in the beautiful city of Whittier, CA, just 20 miles from LA, will share insights into SAD and winter wellness for elderly adults.
The exact causes of winter-pattern seasonal affective disorder (SAD that occurs in the winter) remain unknown. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, though, experts associate the following factors with SAD:
The symptoms of winter-pattern SAD usually go away or improve during spring and summer. Such improvements often occur when:
There's no need for older adults in Whittier, CA, to wait for the warmer seasons just to overcome or reverse seasonal affective disorder symptoms. There are several strategies for boosting mood in winter, from exercising more to getting light therapy for seniors through increased exposure to the outdoors whenever it's sunny.
Regular physical activity is a key strategy for boosting moods and helping alleviate the symptoms of depression. A WebMD article explains that it can help by triggering the release of hormones called endorphins.
Endorphins are natural chemicals that serve many chief roles, including being a natural mood elevator and painkiller. They can also help seniors feel more relaxed and sleep better.
Low-impact aerobics and chair yoga are some examples of daily wellness activities for seniors in Whittier, CA. At Discovery Commons Whittier, we hold these activities and many other physical, recreational, and social events every day. We help keep our older residents fit and engaged by organizing these activities for them and encouraging them to participate.
Exposure to more sunlight, such as by exercising in the beautiful outdoors of Whittier, CA, can help combat seasonal affective disorder through several mechanisms. One is by reducing the levels of the stress hormone called "cortisol."
Sunlight exposure can also help with SAD by boosting serotonin levels in the brain, according to Healthline. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter or natural chemical messenger that acts as a mood regulator.
Older adults in Whittier, CA, should remain connected to their loved ones and friends; it can help them alleviate or reverse seasonal affective disorder. Maintaining social connections can also aid in retaining optimal mental and cognitive well-being. The more socially active they are, the lower their risk for social isolation and loneliness.
Whittier seniors should also focus on a well-balanced, nutritious diet. It can help manage SAD by improving mood and supplying the body with adequate nutrients it needs to stay fit and healthy.
Some examples of foods that seniors should build their meals with are:
Reducing added sugar intake can also help. Too much sugar can trigger adverse changes in the brain, including those that lead to negative feelings or moods.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that, along with calcium, is necessary for optimal bone health and strength. Furthermore, an excerpt of a study published in PubMed states that this vitamin, specifically its deficiency, has an association with seasonal affective disorder. Too little vitamin D can occur due to reduced sunlight exposure in winter.
Exposure to sunlight is one of the primary ways to get vitamin D. When the sun's rays hit the skin, it triggers the production of this nutrient. It's all the more reason for seniors in Whittier, CA, to engage in physical activity outdoors, as it can help them get more vitamin D and combat SAD.
No. People can also get SAD in summer, a condition referred to as "reverse seasonal affective disorder" or summer-pattern SAD. The increased sunlight and heat during summer can lead to this type of seasonal depression.
Combatting the summer blues is similar to fighting off winter-pattern SAD: focusing on a healthy diet and staying social. Just as crucial is to maintain a regular exercise regimen.
Seniors in Whittier, CA, can stay physically active during summer by shifting to indoor exercise whenever reasonable. For example, instead of walking or jogging outdoors when the sun is too hot and there's a high risk of heat-related illnesses, older adults can do them at home or in a fitness center.
At Discovery Commons Whittier, we have fitness classes and a games and activity room where residents can stay on the move in the safety of the indoors.
Getting regular, daily exercise and sunlight exposure can help seniors in Whittier, CA, ease or reverse seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Maintaining social connections and eating healthily are also critical strategies to combat this condition.
Discovery Commons Whittier, our beautiful and inclusive assisted living and memory care community in Whittier, CA, has many amenities and services designed to help keep the winter (or summer) blues away. Here, you or your older loved one can enjoy a dynamic calendar of senior-centric activities and events, nutritious, chef-prepared meals, and a loving community, among many others.
Call us today, and we'll happily schedule your tour of our senior living community!