How Seasonal Affective disorder can impact the work place

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Keep reading to learn how S.A.D can impact the workplace, and what you can do to reduce symptoms!

The winter months are commonly called “The most wonderful time of the year.” Holiday parties and the excitement of the first snow fall leave people buzzing anticipation for the festivities to come. While good tidings of comfort and joy may be the theme this season, many people are stuck feeling the exact opposite. In fact, over 10 million people suffer from Seasonal affective disorder during the cold months, according to themuse.com. Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, causes hormones to change during the winter, reducing the brain’s serotonin levels due to lack of sunshine. Serotonin is commonly nicknamed “The happy chemical”, because it regulates mood. It’s important to be aware of SAD and how it affects people, so themuse.com complied a list of symptoms to watch out for. Sadness, fatigue, insomnia, and weight gain are common symptoms of SAD. Other symptoms include inability to concentrate, irritability, increased desire to be alone, and a greater need for sleep. Because of these symptoms, SAD can have a negative impact in the work place. Mood changes and tiredness can cause coworkers to become argumentative, and the inability to focus can make it hard for employees to meet deadlines and get work done in a timely manner.

Although there is no set cure for SAD, there are many ways to reduce its impact in the work place. Encouraging open and honest communication between coworkers and supervisors is a great place to start. If an employee feels they are able to talk to a supervisor about their struggles, it eases feelings of stress and irritability. It also helps the supervisor understand what is going on with their employees. If a supervisor notices work not being completed as quickly, or a general sadness with their employee, open communication will allow employees and supervisors to come together to find a reasonable solution. Another way to reduce the impact of SAD at work is to take regular breaks. Breaking up the day with a quick walk or a step outside can do wonders to combat SAD. Another effective tool is to change your diet. Around the holidays, people tend to overload on sweets and carbs, which can negatively impact your mood. According to integrativepsychiatry.net, foods rich in omega 3 fats will help serotonin work better by reducing brain inflammation.  Last but not least, getting a light therapy lamp for your home or office can help reduce the affects of SAD. These lights mimic rays from the sun, which helps the brain produce serotonin. Therapy lights, sometimes called “happy lamps”, are not a cure all for SAD, but they are known for improving mood and increasing energy levels.

Unfortunately, SERVPRO can’t cure seasonal affective disorder. However, we can make your life easier by restoring water, fire, and mold damage done to your home or business. Our expert teams take pride in the cleaning and restoration process, and work diligently to make the damage disappear, “Like it never even happened”.

 About SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids:

SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a storm damage, fire, and smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

If you need help with cleaning up after Water, fire, or mold damage, call the Professionals at SERVPRO of NE Grand Rapids 24/7 616.647.4300