🕯️ Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): How Massage Can Brighten Your Mood
- leefletcher814
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
🌅 Understanding the Seasonal Shift
As the days grow shorter and the nights draw in, many of us start to feel the effects of reduced daylight. This weekend the clocks go back one hour ⏰ (don’t forget, it’s this Saturday night/Sunday morning) meaning lighter mornings but darker evenings ahead.
For some people, these seasonal changes can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) -
a type of depression that follows a recurring pattern during autumn and winter.
Common symptoms include:
Low mood or lack of motivation
Fatigue or excessive sleepiness
Increased appetite or cravings (especially for carbs!)
Difficulty concentrating
Withdrawing from social activities
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and you don’t have to simply “get through” the darker months. 🌙
💆♂️ How Massage Therapy Can Help with SAD
Massage therapy offers more than physical relaxation - it supports your emotional wellbeing too.
Regular massage can help to:
🌿 Increase serotonin and dopamine levels - the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals that are often lower during the winter months.
🌞 Reduce stress hormones like cortisol, which can help ease anxiety and tension linked to SAD.
💤 Improve sleep quality, helping your body regulate its internal clock as daylight hours change.
💓 Boost circulation and energy, counteracting that sluggish “winter fog.”
A warm, calming massage room, gentle aromatherapy oils and soothing music can help you reconnect with yourself - mind, body and soul. It’s more than just self-care; it’s self-preservation during the darker months. ✨
🌸 Recommended Treatments at Indulge
If you’re feeling the winter blues creeping in, these treatments can help lift your mood and restore balance:
Aromatherapy Massage - custom blends like bergamot, sweet orange and frankincense promote calm and positivity.
Swedish Massage - a deeply relaxing treatment using smooth, flowing techniques to ease stress, improve circulation and promote overall wellbeing.
Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage - perfect for melting away built-up tension caused by stress and cold weather stiffness.
Each massage at Indulge Massage Therapy in Doncaster is tailored to your individual needs - combining relaxation and restoration in equal measure.
🧘 Try This Guided Meditation for SAD
To support your emotional balance between treatments, take a few moments to reset with this gentle 15-minute guided meditation. It’s designed specifically to help those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, easing low mood and promoting calm reflection.
💬 Tip: Try listening after your massage or in the evening before bed, to deepen relaxation and help your body unwind.
If you’re looking for other helpful tools, Mind UK offers excellent information and support for managing SAD throughout the darker months.
Personally, I love using the Calm app for guided breathing and sleep meditations and the Headspace app for quick mindfulness sessions during busier days.
Both are wonderful for easing tension and helping you stay grounded as the nights draw in. 🌙
🕰️ Don’t Forget - Clocks Go Back This Weekend!
Enjoy an extra hour in bed this Sunday 😴 or maybe use it to treat yourself to some quality “you time.” Whether that’s reading, walking outdoors or booking your next massage, that extra hour is your reminder to slow down and look after yourself. 💚
You can easily book online via my Indulge booking system and start the new season feeling refreshed, balanced and ready to embrace autumn. 🍂
💚 A Final Thought
SAD can make winter feel heavy, but small, nurturing habits - like regular massage, daylight exposure and mindful rest can make a big difference. Let the darker days be your signal to slow down, not stop.
Take care of your body and mind this season - you deserve it. 💚
Lee x
Comments