The Tried and Tested Ways I Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As a long-term sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), I’ve spent years dreading the darker months and experimenting with countless ways to cope. 

What I’ve learned is this: consistency matters more than motivation. I do these rituals every day — even when I don’t feel like it, even when I don’t feel an immediate difference. Over time, these practices have made a huge impact on my mental and physical wellbeing. 

Below are the methods that genuinely work for me.
 

Supplements I Take 

I use my Livvyb magnesium body cream plus as magnesium is best absorbed through the skin. I apply it before bed, when the body is naturally repairing and rejuvenating itself, which I believe gives the best results. 

The cream I use contains three different types of magnesium, plus zinc, vitamins, minerals, and more — but any magnesium product you prefer is absolutely fine.  

Daily Gratitude 

Before I get out of bed in the morning, and again before I go to sleep, I list five things I’m grateful for. 
This sets up and ends my day with positive thinking, which has had a direct effect on my mental state. 

Make the Bed 

I always make my bed. Why? Because it’s proven to set the day up positively and bring a sense of organisation to the mind. Even small accomplishments, repeated daily, have a big impact on brain function over time. 

Hydration First Thing 

I drink a pint of water with electrolytes before eating breakfast or drinking coffee or tea. 

This is very individual, but I’ve noticed that reducing carbs makes a massive difference to how I feel. 
I sleep better, feel less bloated, and just feel overall better 

Stretching 

I don’t do this enough — but when I stretch or attend a Pilates or yoga class, I leave feeling lighter, taller, and happier. 

Consistency Is Everything 

Aside from stretching and alcohol intake, I follow the above every single day, all year round. 

Supplements need to be taken daily — otherwise, they don’t work. It’s about building vitamins and minerals in the body over time. 

I don’t naturally have discipline in spades, but when you’ve been as desperate as I have over the years, you learn that you have to commit and give things the time they deserve. 

For me, these habits have become my stability — and this has been my best winter yet. 

Keeping a positive mindset, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, and paying attention to the things around you that bring a smile can, over time, truly change the way your mind works. 

Final Thoughts 

There are many other strategies — SAD lamps, for example — that work brilliantly for some people but didn’t work for me. 

Everything is trial and error. We are all different. 

Please don’t give up. Keep experimenting until you find what works for you and if I’ve given even one idea which goes on to help just one person, that would be wonderful.  

Products I Use