Why Your Seasonal Depression Might Not Lift in Spring

Many people welcome the weather changes of the different seasons. 

However, the winter months may signal the arrival of seasonal depression each year. Seasonal depression can cause heavy feelings of sadness and worthlessness and impact your ability to go about your day. 

Seasonal depression is often triggered by a shift in circadian rhythm due to fewer hours of sunlight and decreased ability to spend time outside. 

While many people see a significant improvement in symptoms when the weather warms up and the sun is out longer, for others, the arrival of spring may not bring relief from the feelings of depression. 

If your seasonal depression lingers long into spring, you might be wondering why and if there’s anything you can do about it. And that’s exactly what our team at RapidRecovery TMS in Wilmington, North Carolina, is seeking to answer in this month’s blog. 

Let’s explore how the seasons affect your mental health and how you can be proactive about boosting your wellness. 

Why does seasonal depression linger into spring?

While it may seem like the changes in seasons, especially when the change brings warmth and sunshine, should bring an improvement in mood, that’s not always the case for everyone. 

Even if you enjoy the warm weather, just the change of the seasons can trigger anxiety and depression. 

If you enjoy staying home and winter allows for decreased pressure to interact socially, spring can signal an overwhelming feeling to show up in ways that are uncomfortable for you.

Aside from the change in weather and increased societal pressure to interact with others more during spring, other factors that can increase your risk for springtime depression include:

• Shifting of the clocks during Daylight Saving Time
• Sleeping pattern disruptions due to changes in sunlight 
• Increasing body inflammation due to environmental allergens, such as pollen

How can you address springtime seasonal depression?

If the temperature changes trigger feelings of panic and unpreparedness, try these coping strategies to help make the transition:

Acknowledge that change is hard

Even good changes can be stressful. For example, moving or starting a new job can be exciting, but shifts in your normal routine can bring a time of adjustment. 

The changing of the seasons may be no different for you. Simply acknowledging that your body is trying to adjust can give you some grace for down days. 

Move your body

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. It significantly reduces your risk for mental health issues, even if you only exercise for 10 minutes a day or once a week. 

Get outside 

Although leaving your house might seem overwhelming, natural sunlight does wonders for your body and your mental health. The benefits of spending time outside in the sun are well worth it. 

Seek professional help 

If seasonal depression is severely impacting your ability to function, help is available. Our team offers a variety of effective treatments for depression, including talk therapy, medications, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 

Schedule an appointment with our team to get the relief you need by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.