Seasonal affective disorder is a real thing. Sheila Hamilton, who founded the company and the podcast Beyond Well, shared her own experience and advice. It’s a good reminder for the season ahead.
What has helped you during the rainy months?
“I did engage in an entire series of cognitive behavioral therapy lessons. That's all about training you to recognize your thoughts, the things you're telling yourself, and how to reframe in a way that might be more helpful for you to move into an action mode.”
What do you say to someone who is feeling really sleepy this time of year and doesn’t really want to leave the house?
“The most you should be focusing is an hour-and-a-half at a time. And then you should be taking a break for yourself. One of the best-kept secrets for people to avoid exhaustion at the end of the day is to get the F up. Walk away from your computer.”
Should you seek help from a therapist?
“The most powerful thing you can do to change your mindset is to say, ‘I'm not doing very well. Can I talk about [it]?’, and it does not have to be to a therapist. Now, if you have a serious mental illness and you're actually considering suicide, you absolutely need to talk to a professional.”
She gave a lot more recommendations in a conversation with the City Cast Portland podcast, including a few wellness apps that might help during this time of year.
