Ever noticed how your mood takes a dip the moment monsoon arrives — grey skies, endless rain, and barely a hint of sunlight? You’re not imagining it. For many people, the rainy season doesn’t just mean chai and pakoras. It also brings a wave of low energy, sadness, and that heavy “can’t be bothered” feeling. This could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that shows up when the weather changes. The good news? You don’t have to simply wait for the sun to come back. With a few smart lifestyle shifts and coping strategies, you can lift the fog and protect your mental health, even when the world outside feels soggy and grey.

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Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

Seasonal Depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a mood disorder that happens around the same time every year. People who face severe mood swings are likely to be more prone to developing SAD. Here are some of the major symptoms of seasonal depression.

• Low energy
• Irritable mood
• Constant frustration
• Prolonged sadness
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbance or over-sleeping
• Losing interest in things you generally enjoy
• Increased craving for fried or sugary food items

The greys outside can trigger such symptoms and make you weary and annoyed. However, these symptoms might vary in intensity and differ from person to person. SAD may sound like a villain until you know how to combat it. But how can you do so?

Fighting the blues

There are multiple ways to deal with seasonal depression and overcome it. Once you recognise your symptoms, you can figure out how to go about it. If you suspect severe symptoms that hinder your daily functioning, you should consult a therapist. Usually, mild signs of seasonal depression can be fixed through lifestyle modifications. Light therapy for depression is highly advisable. Monsoon blues are mainly caused by not getting enough sunlight. Light therapy boxes mimic natural sunlight, making them quite resourceful. 

Additionally, you can practise the following lifestyle changes to get seasonal depression under control.

• Being around bright colours or clothes to cheer yourself up
• Having your comfort food 
• Vitamin D supplements
• Exercising at home or doing short household chores to keep yourself moving
• Doing yoga and meditation to relieve stress
• Calling up a friend or anyone with whom you can talk your heart out
• Getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep 
• Ek cup chai or as many as you like

These practices might sound clichéd, but at the end of the day, they are actually quite helpful. There can be many other ways to make yourself happy during the seasonal depression phase, including watching your favourite movies.

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