huffingtonpost - 28 days ago

Saunas have long been touted for their health benefits – using them has been linked to better heart health, as well as improved mood.So it’s unsurprising then that some people are turning to these toasty rooms to try and ease their symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that an estimated 2 million people in the UK experience during particular times of year.Symptoms can include a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure in everyday activities, feeling irritable and a lack of energy.According to the NHS, the exact cause of SAD is not yet fully understood, but it’s thought to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days: “The main theory is that a lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly.”The main treatments for SAD include light therapy (to simulate exposure to sunlight), regular exercise, talking therapies and antidepressants.But there’s increasing interest in whether regular sauna use could also help.Saunas for seasonal depressionCounselling Directory member Zsofia Kaplar told HuffPost UK: “Using a sauna can benefit mental health and wellbeing in several ways.”She explained that the intense heat itself can trigger “the production of a magic trio of feel-good hormones – endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, while lowering the stress hormone cortisol”. “While the physical benefits of sauna use are better known, social connections also directly improve mental health and wellbeing – and in many cultures, a local sauna is the place for a low-key (and alcohol-free!) social gathering,” she said.This is something Dr Martha Newson, associate professor in Psychology at University of Greenwich and leader of The Changing Lives Lab at University of Oxford, has a keen interest in. “What we know so far is that regular sauna use has well-documented physical health benefits, including improved circulation, reduced blood pressure, and lower risk of cardiovascular disease,” she said.“The mental health effects are increasingly compelling but under-studied globally. Studies show that sauna bathing can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality – all of which are particularly relevant during the winter months when mood and energy levels often dip.”Dr Newson is currently conducting research with the British Sauna Society to explore how a sense of belonging gained through the ritual of sauna relates to our mood. “What seems to make sauna so powerful is not just the heat itself, but the experience: the calm, the ritual, and the shared social environment,” she said. The results of her research are likely to be published next year, but in the meantime she suggested sauna use could be offered as part of social prescribing.“What I like about this is that it’s not curing through a one size fits all pill, but through strengthening the web of our social connections, which good evidence suggests lies at the heart of longevity and resilience,” she added. Other ways to tackle SADKaplar recommends doing “any kind of exercise outdoors in the few hours of daylight, be it a lunchtime walk or a jog in the park”.“That may not be possible for all, but there are other ways to help yourself in a holistic way, even if it is alongside prescribed medication,” she added.“Waking up to a light source by using a dawn-mimicking alarm, or sitting in front of a daylight-simulating device, can make up for the lack of longer, brighter days.”While it can be tempting to hibernate in the winter, connecting with friends is also important. “Identify a time in your week when you plan your free time with the idea of seeking supportive social interactions,” said the counsellor.“Make connecting with a friend part of your self-care, even if it is a chat on days you don’t feel like leaving the house. Make a pact to check in with each other over the long dark season – ideally while walking outside in the rare warmth of the sun!”And don’t forget, it’s OK to seek help if you’re struggling to get by on a day-to-day basis – whether that’s talking to your GP or a therapist. Related...Seasonal Affective Disorder: 6 Simple Steps To Help You Through The Winter BluesThis Is What Winter Can Look Like With Seasonal Affective DisorderBad Gums Are Linked To Depression And Worse Heart Health. But Why?

Latest News

Hashtags:   

Science

 | 

Behind

 | 

Saunas

 | 

Seasonal

 | 

Affective

 | 

Disorder

 | 

Sources