---
title: How Massage Therapy Can Help Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
description: How Massage Therapy Can Help Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
---
[Skip to content](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/how-massage-therapy-can-help-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad#main-content)
(905) 232-2202
3885 Duke of York Blvd, Mississauga
-
-
-
[](https://www.squareonephysio.ca)
- [Home](https://www.squareonephysio.ca)
- [Services](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services)
Show submenu for Services
- [Physiotherapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/physiotherapy-mississauga)
- [Massage Therapy (RMT)](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/massage-therapy-mississauga)
- [Orthotics](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/orthotics-mississauga)
- [Acupuncture](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/acupuncture-mississauga)
- [Insurance](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/insurance-coverage)
- [FAQs](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/faqs)
- [Blog](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog)
- [Contact](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/book-an-appointment)
- [Home](https://www.squareonephysio.ca)
- [Services](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services)
Show submenu for Services
- [Physiotherapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/physiotherapy-mississauga)
- [Massage Therapy (RMT)](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/massage-therapy-mississauga)
- [Orthotics](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/orthotics-mississauga)
- [Acupuncture](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/acupuncture-mississauga)
- [Insurance](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/insurance-coverage)
- [FAQs](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/faqs)
- [Blog](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog)
- [Contact](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/book-an-appointment)
[Book an Appointment](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/book-an-appointment)
# How Massage Therapy Can Help Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
[Sheila Arambulo,](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/author/sheila_arambulo) 5 April 2017
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of seasonal depression. If you have SAD, you'll normally experience general depression, lack of energy, and irritability during the winter months every year. However, not every person afflicted with SAD experiences symptoms in the winter. Some people have the reverse experience and have symptoms of depression in the spring and summer months. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a sub-set of major depression, and the symptoms can include:
- Feeling depressed nearly every day
- Loss of interest in activities
- Feeling hopeless
- Changes in eating habits, appetite, or weight
- Diffculty concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide
As you can see, these symptoms range from somewhat annoying to very serious. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, you should tell someone you trust, and get help immediately. However, if you have a more mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder, there are many steps that you can take to relieve some of the symptoms. Eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and attending talk therapy can all help you cope with your SAD symptoms.
Massage can also be an important part of managing, and in some cases decreasing your SAD symptoms. Massage is a well-known way to lower anxiety and depression. The simple act of getting a massage can increase the neurotransmitters that work to lower anxiety producing chemicals in your body, as well as decrease the hormones responsible for stimulating your anxiety reactions.
Massage also decreases your heart rate and both your systolic and diastolic blood pressures. This is important because while an elevated blood pressure is a dangerous health condition, it is also a symptom of SAD that can impact your daily well being. An elevated blood pressure can cause you to feel tired, run down, and cause your body to metabolize food in an incomplete way. Improperly digested food means you are not getting all the nutrients you need from your food, no matter how well you're eating.
Massage offers something that virtually no other therapies for depression offer. It offers the power of human touch. When you receive a massage, your body doesn't just feel better because the aches and pains are gone, although that is a large part of it. As humans, our bodies need the comforting, restorative touch of another human. When you receive a massage, your body reduces its stress hormones, and your body pumps your system full the happy "love" chemical cocktail that makes us feel so relaxed after a massage appointment.
Don't forget that your skin is the largest organ on your body. There are nearly 18 square feet of skin on an adult human body! When combined with other relaxing elements, a massage can be practically as effective as a session of psychotherapy. Taking time out for yourself and getting a massage is not a luxury. In many cases, it can be an important complementary treatment to help you get through the "winter blues" and make sure you can face your life head on, no matter what season it is.
### You may also like
[Sheila Arambulo 4 July 2017](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/author/sheila_arambulo)
##### [Sound sleep- the main ingredient of your healthy and fit life!](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/sound-sleep-the-main-ingredient-of-your-healthy-and-fit-life)
For a person to be healthy and fit, he or she really needs to understand the essential needs of his...
[Read More](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/sound-sleep-the-main-ingredient-of-your-healthy-and-fit-life)
[Sheila Arambulo 11 June 2015](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/author/sheila_arambulo)
##### [Understanding Stroke and the Role of Physiotherapy in Treatment and Prevention](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/understanding-stroke-and-role-of-physiotherapy-in-treatment-and-prevention)
Stroke is one of the leading cause of disability among adults. According to Heart and Stroke...
[Read More](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/understanding-stroke-and-role-of-physiotherapy-in-treatment-and-prevention)
[Sheila Arambulo 22 June 2015](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/author/sheila_arambulo)
##### [Rheumatoid Arthritis: Our Physiotherapists can Help You](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/physiotherapy-treatment-for-rheumatoid-arthritis)
People with Rheumatoid Arthritis suffer from chronic inflammation that affects small joints in your...
[Read More](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/physiotherapy-treatment-for-rheumatoid-arthritis)
(905) 232-2202
info@squareonephysio.ca
3885 Duke of York Blvd, Suite #C210, Mississauga ON L5B 0E4
[](https://www.squareonephysio.ca)
### About Us
Our [Physiotherapy clinic in Mississauga](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/physiotherapy-mississauga) goes beyond physio to help you live a healthy life free from pain and injury.All our therapists are certified and licensed and committed to your recovery and rehabilitation. Book an appointment today for initial consult. We do [direct billing](https://squareonephysio-20940041.hs-sites.com/insurance-coverage) with most of the insurance providers.
-
-
-
### Physiotherapy
Sports Physio
[Spinal Decompression](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/spinal-decompression-mississauga)
Posture Alignment
Lifestyle Improvement
### Massage Therapy
[Massage Therapy (RMT)](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/massage-therapy-mississauga)
[Hot Stone Massage Therapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/hot-stone-massage-therapy-mississauga)
[Prenatal Massage Therapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/prenatal-massage)
[Sports Injury Massage Therapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/sports-injury-massage-therapy-mississauga)
[Shiatsu Massage Therapy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/shiatsu-massage-therapy-mississauga)
### Other Services
[Acupuncture](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/acupuncture-mississauga)
[Custom Orthotics](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/services/orthotics-mississauga)
### Pain & Injury Treatment
[Sports Injuries](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/sports-injuries-physiotherapy-treatment)
[Chronic Pain](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/pain-management-and-pain-treatment)
[Back Pain](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/back-pain-causes-symptoms-treatment)
[Neck Pain](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/neck-pain-causes-treatment)
[Shoulder Pain](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/shoulder-pain-causes-treatment)
[Carpal Tunnel](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/physiotherapy-in-carpal-tunnel-syndrome)
[Whiplash Injury](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/whiplash-injury-what-it-is-and-how-it-is-caused)
[Tennis Elbow](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/physiotherapy-treatment-for-tennis-elbow)
[Motor Vehicle Accident](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/motor-vehicle-accident-treatment-mississauga)
[Work Injury or Accident](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/#)
Copyright © 2022 Square One Physio All Rights Reserved.
[About Us |](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/about-us) [Privacy Policy](https://www.squareonephysio.ca/privacy-policy)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Sheila Arambulo",
"url" : "https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/author/sheila_arambulo"
},
"dateModified" : "2022-09-30T23:34:09.847Z",
"datePublished" : "2017-04-05T21:57:23.000Z",
"headline" : "How Massage Therapy Can Help Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)",
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://www.squareonephysio.ca/blog/how-massage-therapy-can-help-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://www.squareonephysio.ca/hubfs/SQ1-Logo-2x-Small.png"
}
}
}
```