Seasonal Depression: Working It Out And Traveling Through It
Working it out in the sun. image: TONL
Warm and cozy. Two words you see everywhere during the winter holidays. Complete with pictures of comfy couches in front of glowing fireplaces, twinkle lights and snow. Tis the season for high spirits and soirées, gift-giving and reflection. So why do I just want to stay in bed and sleep? I’m not happy, I’m just...I’m just here. Nights are longer, it’s cold, everything seems dark and gloomy. Bleh.
Sound familiar?
Perhaps you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression. The best way to find out is to definitely talk with a doctor but the National Institute of Mental Health lays out a clear breakdown of symptoms here. Geography and family history are key factors in who is at risk for SAD, but one thing that stands out is that women are 4x more likely to be diagnosed. And I’m one of them.
There are four main ways to deal with SAD. Medication and psychotherapy are recommended for more serious cases, light therapy and Vitamin D are also known to help. On Amazon, you can find some great lamps and Vitamin D supplements, but there’s one method that I’ve sworn by for over a decade that gives you all the light therapy and vitamin D you need: travel.
Like many women who deal with the winter blues, I work my way through the season with consistent workouts and a series of short trips with my mental health in mind. To be clear, these aren’t those “bucket-list” type vacations you see on IG. When I lived in NY, it was a 3 day weekend in Miami Beach holed up at The Standard was typical, or 30 weekend hours in a close locale like Grand Cayman or the Bahamas. Yes, a thirty-hour vacation is very possible and very helpful
As I got older (and my wallet more stable), annual reunions in Trinidad & Tobago for Carnival were salvation. Now that I live in Los Angeles, weekend hikes in the sun and day trips to the canyons and beaches do the trick—but a Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos move is always available for when a day-long beach/pool session is necessary. And I’m not alone. Recently, I chatted with some fellow mavens on how travel factors into their yearly fight against seasonal depression. Check out how they cope below:
M. Rodriguez, Engineer
“Winter can be tough on the east coast. After growing up in Rochester NY where winters were brutal I was just over it. As I got older I started to really loathe the onset of cold weather at the end of fall. I get cranky, irritable, become a homebody, grumpy and just generally demotivated. I do still work out so that keeps the endorphins up and energy to work on goals that I would otherwise be distracted by rooftop drinks and summer weather.
Every year I typically plan a trip in Feb when I know the holidays are over and it’s just enough time for me to look forward to something so my grumpiness doesn’t get outta wack. It’s really been helpful to be excited to trade in my snow coat for a bikini every year.”
O. Lysette, singer & songwriter
“I take an annual gig the, ‘Capital Jazz SuperCruise’ for travel during the winter. This is year 6.”
D. Powell-Ansah, Minister
“I was clinically diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in 2002, however, when I assess my life, the fall and winter months have always been hard for me, even as a girl. As the days get shorter, I am more lethargic, I crave comfort foods, and my mood changes; I sometimes experience deep sadness when there is seemingly nothing to warrant such sadness.
As an ordained Christian minister, I firmly believe in Jesus and therapy to manage my depression. Even so, I have discovered that I need more to survive and thrive in the Fall and Winter months, namely a sun-filled getaway. Often I plan a getaway in the late summer months and live in the afterglow. However, when possible I try to steal away during the late fall or winter months to a place with few responsibilities, beautiful sights, and lots of sun. Doing so gives me just the boost I need. In fact, I am writing this blurb after spending just three days basking under the sun in Cape Town, South Africa and I feel like a brand new woman!”
Ready to go? If you’re dealing with the winter blues, take a look at your calendar and look at the days you have some flexibility and start to plan. Take 24-72 hours and pick your closest destination (no more than 4 hours of flight time) that offers everything you need to get back to your normal or better.
If you’re on the east coast, locales like Nassau, Puerto Rico and Bermuda are less than 4 hours away. No passport? Miami and The US Virgin Islands are right there waiting for you. If you’re in the midwest, the Caribbean side of Central America is right there. From Cancun (Mexico) to San Pedro (Belize), plus Jamaica and Aruba. Us west coast mavens already know that Mexico is our friend to the south, with Los Cabos, Puerta Vallarta and Rosarito all in close range.
Pick a hotel or airbnb that gives you just what you need, splurge only if you can. No waiting on someone to go with—have some solo time to relax and focus on you and your mental health. If solo travel is still new to you, this is when the security and regimen of a large resort comes in handy. It’s ok to stay in one place and never leave the property if that’s what you need to come back to life. For more adventurous solo travelers, choose a property that has the comfort you want and is close to the sights you want to see so you don’t have to spend most of your time getting there.
When you arrive, be real with yourself. It’s ok to just want to lay around all day. Or maybe you want to do everything that SAD has been making impossible, so you open the laptop and handle it. One thing that helps me is that I have my favorite playlists downloaded, and a journal to write down all the “ok I’m back” thoughts that come to mind. Once they’re out of my head, I treat myself with a workout that will allow me to experience my destination, like a run down a local road. To be honest, I hate running. But I like the way I feel afterwards and I can see a destination in a way that no car ride can offer. Whatever your thing is, do it. Keep it simple and rest. Open the windows and allow the sun to penetrate your skin, breathe and take in the sights around you.
No matter how you choose to deal, know that you aren’t alone and you certainly are NOT “crazy” or “just having a moment.” Far too often women, especially Black women mask our depression as something that we can work out on our own. And these can lead to bigger problems. Have a serious talk with yourself, and then have a talk with your doctor. Seasonal or not, your mental health is a precious. Take care of you, use ALL of your PTO, work those frequent flier miles and travel your way to a better state of mind. It’s the best investment you will ever make in yourself.
PS. Need help planning a quick trip? Just reach out to me via a DM. I, and a crew of amazing travel planners are always standing by.