As we move into autumn and the days get shorter and colder some of us may find our mood and energy levels drop. For those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) this seasonal slump can feel overwhelming. In this blog I have described how hypnotherapy offers a promising solution to managing the symptoms of SAD.
What is SAD?
Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just the ‘winter blues’. The NHS describes SAD as a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. For most people SAD occurs during autumn and winter when daylight hours are reduced. The condition can severely impact a person’s mood, energy levels, and overall quality of life.
Symptoms often include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating and lack of motivation. Changes to sleep patterns are also common place as well as a general sense of sadness or despair. Some people may find that they have an increase in desire for carbohydrates and over eat, leading to weight gain.
What causes SAD?
The exact cause of SAD is not clear but research suggests it is related to the reduced levels of sunlight in autumn and winter. The decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), leading to tiredness and depression. Additionally, the reduction in sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin levels, a brain chemical that affects mood, appetite and sleep. Lower serotonin levels are linked to feelings of depression, anxiety and stress.
How hypnotherapy can help with SAD
Hypnotherapy can provide a unique approach to managing SAD.
The power of hypnotherapy lies in its ability to help individuals reframe how they think and feel about the darker and colder months. When someone experiences SAD it’s often linked to how their brain reacts to shorter days and reduced sunlight. Hypnotherapy works by addressing these subconscious associations, helping to create more positive responses to seasonal changes.
I work with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy which is a combination of talking therapy and hypnosis, hypnosis being a very pleasant state of deep relaxation. In the hypnosis part of the session I use a blend of guided relaxation techniques and positive suggestion, tailored specifically for clients with SAD.
Here’s a more detailed look at how these methods work:
Guided visualisation for mental escape
Guided visualisation is an extremely effective tool in hypnotherapy for those with SAD. Hypnotherapists can guide clients into a relaxed state of hypnosis through calming imagery, helping them to imagine themselves in warm and bright environments. This might be a sunny beach, for instance, or a wildflower meadow in the height of summer, in fact anywhere that feels peaceful and full of light. This practice allows the mind to focus on positive and uplifting sensations rather than the cold and dark of winter.
Deep relaxation to reduce anxiety and stress
Hypnotherapy can be highly effective at reducing anxiety and stress, a common symptom of SAD. Through progressive relaxation techniques hypnotherapists can guide clients into a deeply relaxed state, allowing the mind and body to release tension and let go of worries. This state of relaxation soothes the nervous system, promotes better sleep and helps to improve overall wellbeing.
Positive suggestion to change thought patterns
The subconscious mind is immensely powerful in shaping how we think and feel. In hypnosis your subconscious mind is more open and receptive to beneficial suggestions, accepting directions to promote positive change. By using positive suggestion in a hypnosis session, hypnotherapists help clients rewire negative thoughts about the season. More constructive ways of thinking are created. For example, some people who experience SAD may subconsciously associate winter with feelings of loneliness or being stuck. During hypnosis suggestions can be introduced that help a person see winter as a time for calm reflection, self-care and renewal.
By addressing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy helps individuals regain control over their mood and enjoy a brighter outlook during the darker months.
If you are experiencing symptoms of SAD and would like some help please call 07514 931 096 or email me. carolynspillerhypnotherapy@gmail.com
Appointments are available at my practice in Tiverton in Devon, or online.