Steps That One Can Take To Keep Depression Away

As rain clouds engulf the skies, Clinical Psychologist Shobhika Jaju shares quick tips to bid adieu to those recurrent “monsoon blues”.

Quite like monsoons in Goa! Lush greenery all around, the earthy rustic smell which brings back childhood memories, all day long rain showers…for every monsoon lover, Goa is paradise. Those days of incessant rain, however, may not bring joy to everyone.

In Goa, we often witness nonstop rains for 5-6 days during peak monsoons; days go by without sunshine. And the continuous downpour, grey skies, frequent lighting & thunder is not pleasant for a lot of people; rather, millions around the world suffer

from seasonal symptoms of depression with the onset of seasons such as monsoons & winters.

Since, Goa is a land of abundant rainfall for the four months beginning June and ending September, those of us living here are at slightly higher risk for developing transient as well as acute symptoms of seasonal depression, and therefore, here is a quick round up of some steps that locals can take to keep this monsoon depression away:

Exercise: 

With rains at random hours of the day, most of us get restricted indoors. It is, however, extremely crucial during this time to do some

physical exercise as it is directly linked to increased serotonin, thereby promoting a healthier mental state. Gratefully for the denizens of Goa, there are many options to stay active during monsoons; classes for Zumba, power garba, aerobics, Yoga have mushroomed all across the state & then we have several good quality gyms which will help one stay active & fit. Even cycling or going for walks amid light showers has been found to be beneficial in boosting one’s mental health. And make the most of any interim dry days and sunshine.

Stay Connected:

 It is extremely important to stay connected with friends & family members even when you don’t feel like it. Go for suppers, call people over home, and make time for coffee with friends while it rains. The idea is to avoid being alone.

Eat healthy: 

One cannot stress on this point enough; it is ok to have cheat days but you must strive to eat healthy and

nutritiously rich diets during the monsoon months, particularly because the body will crave for more sugar rich diet. Excess sugar takes longer to burn off and thereby, contributes to more lethargy.

Stay entertained: 

Goa is a year round entertainment destination. Find what you enjoy and indulge yourself in it, be it movie nights, library visits, musical gatherings, eating out at your favourite restaurant; there is a lot to do and be busy.

Colour therapy: 

Get your house or office monsoon ready;

incorporate bright colours in your immediate surroundings, wear bright colours, and stay in well illuminated rooms when indoors as this will directly counteract the effects of dark skies outside.

Seasonal affective disorder is more than just “monsoon blues” and it’s not possible to just wish it away; professional mental health help is recommended if you or someone you know is recurrently showing symptoms of depression only during the monsoon months, as there are systematic and well- researched treatment options available. Most importantly remember that any amount of sunshine is good during the monsoons so go outdoors during any dry & sunny patch which will occur in between the rains. It will also throw at you stunning views of the Goan landscape.

Planet Goa Team

For us at Planet-Goa, our team is driven by that feeling of exhilaration that one gets when discovering that something ‘unique’ and ‘new’ about Goa for our ever-so-discerning readers.