For those residing in regions with distinct winter seasons, the onset of winter can bring about a phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition is often brought on during the winter months, beginning in the late fall, characterized by reduced sunlight and shorter days, leading to a sense of unease which you may not be used to. Apart from customary holiday breaks, many individuals opt to escape the winter chill by embarking on vacations or relocating to sunnier destinations during this period. This not only provides relief from the cold and snow but also ensures a year-round supply of essential Vitamin D.
Take for instance, my husband, originally from the perpetual sunshine of Miami, Florida where he gets sun year-round and moving to Canada and experiencing his first full winter was quite a change and a shock to what he’s used to. Transitioning to Canada exposed him to his first full-fledged winter was a stark contrast and notable adjustment from his Floridian roots. I did warn him about the darker days and minimal sunshine that we get in Toronto but it was not until he experienced it for himself, that he understood how the lack of sunshine can affect your mood and body and that Seasonal Affective Disorder can be a real feeling during this time of year.
In this blog post, we’ll cover how travel can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder and how you can get back to feeling like yourself during the winter months!
Some Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Before delving into how travel can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder, you must be aware of the symptoms associated to be able to establish that connection.
1 – Feeling Down
Not feeling like yourself and a more depressive mood and feeling sad
2 – Low Energy
Feeling tired a lot of the time and having low energy levels even with enough sleep
3 – Loss Of Interest
Decreased interest in once enjoyable activities
4 – Physical Pain
Some people may even experience aches and pains in their body including headaches
5 – Not Sleeping Well
Changes in sleep patterns such as insomnia or even oversleeping
6 – Changes In Appetite
Increased cravings and weight gain
7 – Difficulty Concentrating
Having more trouble focusing on your work or other tasks
7 Ways Travel Can Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are many ways you can combat Seasonal Affective Disorder from the comfort of your home. However, given the nature of this travel-oriented blog, I’d like to underscore the therapeutic effectives of travel on Seasonal Affective Disorder. Taking a vacation, be it a lengthy escape or a brief getaway, and intentionally disrupting your routine during the colder months can play a pivotal role in resetting and rejuvenating your well-being.
1 – Take Advantage Of Local Adventures
If you can’t get additional time off work or you’re trying to book a vacation last minute and it’s too expensive to travel during this time, you can take advantage of local adventures:
- Embrace outdoor activities such as tobogganing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and more. There is still some exposure to natural light and physical activity helps with positively impacting your mood and alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
- Engage with the local community and culture as social interactions also positively impact your mood and new experiences help re-invigorate yourself.
- Explore Christmas Markets in your area or surrounding towns. One of the best things about winter and the holiday period is all the festive Christmas Markets and similar events that are happening around time. With all the decorations, holiday foods, and festive atmosphere it’s sure to get your mind off the dreary weather and uplift your spirits during this time.
2 – Plan Your Winter Vacation In Advance And Choose Sunny Destinations
Because winter is high season for travel, it’s important to plan your winter vacation well in advance. I would say at least 3 to 6 months at minimum to get the best prices and be able to select the availability of locations and flights that you want. Most of the people traveling during this time opt for sunny destinations – as they should – to escape the winter cold and get some much-needed sun and possibly even a tan. As travel companies know this and it’s a competitive season, prices will be expensive and you’ll want to book early to secure lower prices and more specifically, a spot!
Remember to plan your travels to destinations that receive plenty of sunlight and even consider locations closer to the equator where daylight hours are more consistent. Having a change of scenery and completely different weather will help you avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder, or at least shorten the amount of time you may be feeling out of sorts during the winter months.
Here are some extra tips on the Best Ways To Save Money On Flights For Your Next Vacation and the Best Ways To Save Money On Hotels for Your Next Vacation.
3 – Plan Short Getaways During The Winter Months
If taking time off or even an extended vacation during the holidays is challenging or just impossible, plan shorter getaways throughout the winter season. It doesn’t necessarily need to always be a sunny destination especially if you don’t have the time off to do so, but getting out of your normal routine and exploring a new area even with the cold and dark weather can still provide some mental and emotional boost. Doing something different and having something to look forward to is important especially when you may be experiencing the same weather, routine, and scenery for months on end. During this time, planning a few road trips or short flight away is a good pick-me-up and possible to do even during the weekends.
4 – Enjoy Nature During The Winter
Although I’m not a fan of winter, I love freshly fallen snow and not only does it brighten up the lacklustre vibes that winter can bring, but it also provides opportunities to actually enjoy nature differently during this time. Whether you’re embracing outdoor activities or relaxing in a hot tub with a cabin or lodge winter getaway, there are different ways to enjoy nature during the winter for different people. It’s also a great way to relax and provide a calming effect with time spent in natural surroundings such as mountains or even coastal areas and it can also help with your mental well-being.
5 – Plan Local Excursions To Break Up Your Weeks
One thing about the winter months is that it can make you feel lazy, uninspired, or even so cold that you just want to stay home and bundle up all the time. To ensure you don’t make it a habit during this time, plan local “excursions” to break up your weeks so that you’re doing something different that brings you joy, relaxation, and adventure. Getting out of your own city or adventuring to somewhere you haven’t been before nearby, exploring museums, trying new cuisines, attending cultural events, and incorporating other enjoyable activities outside of what you’re used to doing can positively impact your mood and it’s a small dose of travel that can help you avoid the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
6 – Join A Wellness Retreat
Wellness retreats are great for mindfulness, self-care, rejuvenation, and prioritizing your health and well-being. This type of tranquil setting offers different activities such as yoga, meditation, spa treatments, or other types of sessions to help you with action plans or self-reflection is great for the body and mind especially during the winter months. Acknowledging that you can feel out of sorts, down, not yourself, etc. in the winter is already a good step into getting yourself out of that funk and proactively joining sessions or even a holistic wellness retreat can help mitigate and manage the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
7 – Capture Your Travel Moments And Let It Surround You
For me, I don’t buy souvenirs when I travel but I take thousands of photos to commemorate the experience instead! (Here are also 10 Travel Hacks To Save Money While On Vacation). If you are also like me, then you can go through your roster of photos and create a project for yourself to use travel to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can create a travel journal to document your experiences and memories to bring back those feelings of a good time on vacation or even redecorate your house by choosing a few of your favorite shots and framing them so you can see them often. Reflecting on the positive memories from your travels can be a valuable way to relive the good times during challenging times in the winter.
The key is to be proactive and intentional about your travel plans and focus on destinations and activities that contribute positively to your mental and emotional well-being should you ever feel that the winter months are too long and you need an escape to reset yourself. Soaking up essential sunlight and breaking free from the monotony of your everyday winter routine by travel can alleviate the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder and add some extra fun to your life when you may be feeling down. Additionally, maintaining healthy habits and seeking professional support for guidance can be instrumental in determining the most effective approach to managing your mental health during the winter months.
Read more for information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
To help you become a better traveler, read more on the Travel Tips to fully prepare yourself!