Diet, Exercise and Medication Regular exercise, combined with good sleep hygiene and good nutrition are also valuable treatment options. Daily, light exercise, such as a brisk walk is more valuable than sporadic heavy workouts. It is believed that the daily light routine helps the body maintain a healthy body clock, and assists the body in maintaining higher levels of serotonin. Experts caution against exercising in the late evening hours, as this may adversely affect the body's natural winding down mechanism before bed and can cause fragmented sleep. New studies are indicating that SAD patients can benefit from increasing their intake of foods high in carbohydrates and proteins.
Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels in the brain, as well as give added energy.
The important thing about diet is to keep it balanced. Most particularly medications in the SSRI family such as Prozac and Zoloft. Most importantly, anyone experiencing significant symptoms of clinical depression should be assessed by their family doctor. Some physical problems can show up as depression. A family doctor can also make a referral to a psychiatrist who is aware of SAD and other forms of clinical depression.