Shenandoah Psychiatric Medicine is a group of psychiatrists in Augusta County, VA specializing in the treatment of mood and thought disorders, major depression, PTSD, Bipolar disorder, and Schizophrenia. The psychiatrists at Shenandoah Psychiatric Medicine are passionate about creating a program of care that’s the perfect fit for you. That’s why we offer comprehensive care to all of our patients through group therapy, single therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Did you know that the weather can affect your mood? Rainy days can cause a decrease in your serotonin levels, which are naturally boosted by sunlight. In fact, people who are especially affected by a lack of sunshine, changes in weather, and sunshine, are sometimes diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
While you can’t control the weather, you can take some steps to help boost your mood on those gray and rainy days. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood; even if you’re stuck inside, you can find ways to exercise, whether it’s dancing around your living room, heading to your local gym, or doing some yoga in your bedroom. Another way to improve your mood is to spend time with friends or loved ones; don’t make the rainy weather keep you away from others.
You can also use rainy days to relax. If the rain makes you feel tired, take a quick nap. Turn off all other white noise and electronics and let the relaxing sound of the rain lull you to sleep. Or, curl up on the couch with a great movie or an interesting book.
You can also invest in a light therapy box, which emits light that is similar to the light given off by the sun. This can help trick your body into creating the serotonin that it naturally would if you went outdoors on a sunny day. These are great to put in your office or your bedroom on those days when the sun doesn’t want to come out.
Don’t let rainy days get you down. Instead, embrace the relaxation and rest that this weather often encourages, or get up and get moving even if it means you’re dancing around your dinner table!
For psychiatrists in the Augusta County, VA area, give us a call at Shenandoah Psychiatric Medicine today.