Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Seasonal Depression & How to Cope

In this episode of Salt & Sovereignty, Ashley shares her experience with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and explores how seasonal changes can impact mood, energy, and mental health.

If you’ve ever struggled during the fall and winter months, this episode unpacks what SAD can feel like from the inside, along with the science behind it, including how light exposure, circadian rhythms, serotonin, and melatonin play a role.

Ashley reflects on her personal journey with seasonal depression, while also talking through different ways of navigating it, including light therapy, medication, therapy, and lifestyle support.

In this episode:

• What Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is
• Common symptoms of seasonal depression
• Why winter can affect mood and energy levels
• The role of light, hormones, and the nervous system
• Support options and ways to cope

This is a reminder that struggling during certain seasons doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means your body is responding to real biological and environmental changes.