SAD Times, Here’s to Looking Up!

Have you ever noticed that as the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, your mood starts to shift? Maybe your energy dips, motivation fades, and everything just feels… heavier. You’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. What you might be experiencing is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that often appears during the fall and winter months when sunlight is limited.

At Salve Mental Health and Wellness, we believe in shining a light—literally and emotionally—on what you’re going through. Understanding why you feel this way is the first step toward finding your balance again.

Why We Feel “SAD”

Our bodies and minds are deeply connected to nature. With less daylight, our internal clocks shift, our serotonin levels dip, and melatonin (the sleep hormone) increases. This combination can lead to fatigue, low mood, irritability, and withdrawal from things that once brought joy. For many people, the holiday season adds another layer—grief, stress, and the pressure to “feel festive” when you just don’t.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a safe space to sort through what you’re feeling without judgment or expectation. Together, we can:

• Recognize the signs of seasonal depression and separate them from regular winter blues.

• Develop coping strategies—(Put the phone DOWN!) :P But really, it helps to discover your unhealthy methods and develop new ones that better serve you and your goals.

• Reframe expectations around the holidays so they feel more manageable, meaningful and aligned to your vision and values and not those of your family, friends or societal expectations.

• Explore light therapy, lifestyle habits, and emotional tools that support your mental health all season long.

The goal isn’t just to get through the winter—it’s to rediscover hope and connection even when the skies are gray.

Looking Up (and Ahead)

If you’re noticing that this season feels especially hard, therapy can be the warmth and light you need to navigate it. Healing doesn’t always look like a grand breakthrough—it often starts with a single, intentional step toward care.

At Salve Mental Health and Wellness, we’re here to walk with you through the darker months and help you see yourself—and your life—more clearly again.

Need an assist?

Reach out to schedule a session or consultation today. We're here to help you create a path toward a lighter season.