Ways Parents Can Help Children Treat Seasonal Depression

Many parents aren’t aware of the cause of SAD in children; however, after going to a specialist, many can diagnose them if they have symptoms. The symptoms include a poor attitude, disinterest in hobbies, and lacking motivation. However, it’s possible to treat this mental illness. Here’s our guide on ways parents can help children treat seasonal depression.

Get Involved With Treatment

Remind your children it’s not an embarrassment to have seasonal affective disorder or seasonal depression. When a child gets diagnosed, it’s essential to be their support system and find the best ways to help them cope with seasonal depression.

You can get involved in their treatment by helping them with their medication, introducing them to light therapy, and having an open discussion on improving their mental health. Getting involved in different ways can help your child feel seen and positively improve their symptoms.

Encourage Your Children To Get Outside

The best way to help fight seasonal depression symptoms is to go outside. Your children can benefit from light exercise at the park and walking in nature with a friend or family member. As the sun comes out for longer, seasonal depression symptoms begin to decrease.

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

When children have difficulty coping with a mental illness, they often associate food with more of a consequence. Some children feel that eating sugary or carb-based foods can help fill an area that feels empty in their lives.

Additionally, children may develop poor eating habits that result in developing an eating disorder. So, to help encourage healthy eating habits, provide more fruits and vegetables to snack on in the house. Also, cut carbs out, as they can lead to an increase in depression.

Consider adding more whole grains in the child’s diet so they can develop better mental health.

Take Seasonal Depression Seriously

If your child feels sad, listen. If they’re frustrated but can’t find a positive source to vent their frustration, don’t yell. All you need to do is sit down with them, ask them to take a deep breath, and have a conversation.

Seasonal depression can take a lot out of your child, especially causing them to show signs of anxiety and loss of interest. The best way to help them cope is to remind them things get better and that you’re always here for them if they want to talk.

As the season grows colder and we lose more sun, it’s hard to understand why we sometimes feel sad when there’s less daylight outside. However, the biggest cause is the decrease in our internal clocks. So, the best ways parents can help their children treat seasonal depression is to sit down, listen, and support them through their journey.