HOW HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP WITH SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

Anyone who knows me, even vaguely, knows how much I struggle when the clocks go back — the nights become longer, and daylight shrinks to, at its worst, just eight hours a day. British Summer Time (BST), when the clocks go forward, is my favourite day of the year!
If you’re a friend of mine on Facebook, you’ll know I have an annual countdown to that glorious day — derided by some, but enthusiastically embraced by many.

Living by the coast in Shoreham-by-Sea, nicely tucked between Brighton & Hove and Worthing, does help. I’m lucky to have easy access to the outdoors — sea air, open skies, and coastal walks — but even then, the darker months still have a big effect on my mood.

So, as the clocks go back and the days grow shorter, many people — like me — start to feel their mood dip. For some, this seasonal slump becomes something more serious: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a type of depression linked to changes in light and season.
If you’ve noticed yourself feeling low, sluggish, or unmotivated as winter rolls in, you’re not alone. I know exactly what you’re going through — but the good news is, there are gentle and effective ways to lift that fog.

Understanding SAD

SAD is often caused by reduced sunlight, which can disrupt your body’s internal clock, affect serotonin levels, and leave you feeling more tired, withdrawn, and less like yourself.
The lack of light can play tricks on your brain — making mornings feel heavier and the world a bit greyer, both literally and emotionally.

The Solution Focused Approach

This is where Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can make a real difference. Instead of dwelling on the causes of low mood, this approach helps you focus on what’s working well and how you’d like things to be different. It’s about shifting attention from the problem to the solution — from what’s going wrong to what’s going right (or could be).

Through gentle hypnosis, we can calm the busy mind, reduce anxiety, and encourage more positive thought patterns. Hypnotherapy also helps rebalance the brain’s chemistry — particularly boosting serotonin, the “feel good” hormone — and supports better sleep, motivation, and energy levels.

Small Steps, Big Shifts

In our sessions, we work together to build a clear picture of how you want to feel — lighter, more in control, and more positive — then use hypnosis to help your subconscious mind move toward that state.
Clients often find that, over time, they begin waking up with a little more energy and optimism, even during those darker months.

The beauty of the solution focused approach is that you don’t have to “revisit” difficult memories or analyse the past. You simply start building a better future from where you are right now.

Reclaiming the Light

While we can’t change the seasons, we can absolutely change how we respond to them. With the right mindset and therapeutic support, winter doesn’t have to feel so heavy.
You can learn to reclaim your light — inside and out.

If you’ve been finding the darker months tough, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy could help you rediscover balance and brightness.
Get in touch today to find out how we can work together to help you feel lighter, calmer, and more in control this winter.