Checking In.... How's Everyone Adjusting To The Time Change? (Seasonal Depression Is Real)

charbiethemiracle
Nov 10, 2023
4 min read

With the recent time change, due to “Daylight Savings”, where we gained an extra hour of sleep but lost daylight and shortened our days, I just want to check-in with everybody, to ensure that everyone is okay. It has been proven (medically and scientifically) that such changes can cause drastic undesirable effects on our bodies. The change within itself can do significant damage, if not careful or monitored. Not to mention the fact that there is less sunlight, resulting from this change, which is equivalent to us receiving less Vitamin D. Vitamin D being so important, as it has many health benefits for us. Some benefits include, it aids in helping our immune systems, boosts our moods, helps in weight loss, increases the strength of our bones, prevents our bones from breaking as easily, and it has great effects in lowering the risks of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and aids in lowering one’s blood pressure, just to name a few. However, it’s particularly vital for African Americans, especially those of darker skin tones, as African Americans suffer from being at higher risks of Vitamin D deficiency due to the high presence of melanin in our skin, which reduces the body’s ability to produce Vitamin D. The lack of Vitamin D being one of the main reasons why so many suffer as a result of the time change. Additionally, I must make mention of the component of the elements causing us to be in darkness for longer periods of time, which not only takes a toll on us physically, but also mentally and emotionally. As a result, people have experienced significant changes in mood, feelings, personality, thoughts, and demeanor, with no real “tangible” explanation for it.

Overtime, people began expressing their frustration and lack of understanding as to why this happened to them, around the same time each year. It became a vicious cycle, from which they would have to suffer and recover from every yearly. As more people grew weary and more concerned because of it, they began to openly express the various changes they were going through. For a long time, many refused to discuss these various feelings, particularly in the Black Community. But we have gotten to place where that has changed, as people have become more open to express how they feel, through personal conversations with others and venting on social media platforms. Many suffered from shame and embarrassment for “not feeling themselves”, without any real explanation for it; However, in more recent years it has been a trending topic to speak on the effects of the “time change” as well as “seasonal depression”, which often develops as a result. These are very real things, so please don’t feel like you’re “buggin” or “tripping” if you may encounter any of the related symptoms or effects. You are not the only one who experiences this. Many times, people are going through this, and they’re suffering from it all by themselves, in silence, not talking about it to anyone. Let’s change this narrative. Please feel free to reach out to someone you trust to share with them what you are going through. No one should have to go through this alone. Besides, it’s such an occurring event in many people’s lives, that there are more people experiencing this sensation than you know. Create a community of loved ones who care about you and your well-being and begin expressing how you feel and your need for their support, today. I guarantee they are more than willing to help you through his rough patch in your life.

Please be reminded that the rain doesn’t last forever. Be patient, soon this season will be over, and you will experience much joy and sunshine again, both literally and figuratively 😊

Some Suggestions to Help you with Seasonal Depression:

Go outside during the warmest part of the day and soak in the sunshine and good breeze. This will not only have a good effect on your mood (due to being in nature) but it will allow you to get the much needed Vitamin D, your body needs

Take over the counter Vitamin D pills

Take iron pills or get iron infusions, as lack of iron can make you feel the effects of the time change even more, especially if you are anemic

Drink a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, tea, cider, or whatever warm drink of your choosing, which had the ability to relax you and the edge and anxiety off. Warm drinks have the ability to male you feel warm and cozy inside. Giving you a positive physical sensation, as well as an emotion one as well

Write down your thoughts in a journal. Express yourself and reflect on somethings, allowing yourself to bring perspective to how you currently feel and think

Write down affirmations affirming, validating, and reinforcing who you are, not how you feel in this preset moment

Go to lunch or dinner with a friend, who can keep you grounded, reminding you of who you are and the essence of your being. Furthermore spending time with friends take our minds off the negative in our current situations and we’re allowed to be ourselves, put our guards down and just enjoy the moment for a change

Spend quality time with family, they too can affirm you and remind of who you truly are. They can bring comfort to you, seeing as though they know the real you and can identify and connect with you at your core, even when you’re struggling to recognize and connect to yourself