Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month In Denver
- Britt Ritchie
- Dec 16, 2025
- 5 min read
The alarm rings, but the room is still heavy with darkness.
You feel a physical weight on your chest that sleep cannot seem to resolve.
Yesterday, you were a high-achieving professional; today, you feel like you are moving through molasses.
This is the silent reality for many people face when the Colorado sun starts to set at 4:30 PM.
If you are struggling to maintain your spark, please know this is not a lack of willpower. It is a biological response to changing light cycles. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month is the ideal time to address these shifts. You have built a life you love, but you should not have to spend several months of every year just trying to survive it. I am here to share how an integrative psychiatry approach can help you reclaim your energy.
Key Takeaways for Managing Seasonal Moods
Identify "leaden paralysis" as a biological symptom of SAD rather than personal laziness.
Utilize 10,000 lux light therapy within thirty minutes of waking to recalibrate your internal circadian rhythm.
Prioritize Colorado-specific Vitamin D testing to ensure your levels are optimal for brain health, not just "baseline."
Partner with a psychiatric nurse practitioner to create a holistic plan that includes targeted supplements and lifestyle shifts.
The following sections explore why the brain reacts this way to the Denver winter and how you can use holistic tools to restore your vibrancy.
Why does Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month matter?
Many people in Colorado tend to dismiss their feelings as the "winter blues." They assume everyone feels a little tired when it is cold. However, SAD Awareness Month highlights that for many, this is a significant clinical event.
When you experience SAD, your brain is physically struggling to produce enough serotonin. Simultaneously, it may overproduce melatonin because the lack of sunlight tricks your body into thinking it should remain in a state of rest. This creates a chemical mismatch that leaves you feeling drained, irritable, and disconnected from your usual life.
In my practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I see people who appear to have it all but feel they are losing their grip during the winter. By raising awareness, we remove the shame. We stop asking "what is wrong with me?" and start asking "how can I support my biology through this season?"
How does the Colorado climate impact my mental health?
We often celebrate the 300 days of sunshine in Denver, but the winter sun is deceptive. Even on a bright January day, the sun’s angle in Colorado is often too low for our bodies to synthesize Vitamin D effectively. This "sunshine hormone" is actually a neurosteroid essential for mood regulation.
The high altitude also plays a role. Our bodies already work harder to process oxygen, and when you add the stress of seasonal light changes, your nervous system can become overtaxed. This is where integrative psychiatry becomes a game-changer. We do not just look at a checklist of symptoms; we look at how your environment, and your physiology are interacting.
What are the signs I should seek a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
It is time to seek professional support when your "winter funk" starts impacting your daily functioning. If you are missing deadlines at work, avoiding social invitations you would normally enjoy, or if your relationships are strained because you have no emotional bandwidth, you do not have to wait for spring.
A holistic, integrative approach means we look at the whole picture. I might suggest looking at your gut health, your inflammatory markers, or your sleep hygiene. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I am trained to understand the complex interplay between your brain and your body. We want to ensure that your "low" isn't masking something else, like a thyroid imbalance or a nutrient deficiency.
How can integrative psychiatry help me feel better?
Integrative psychiatry is about more than just a prescription. It is a partnership. While traditional medicine might focus solely on medication, we look at how we can support your brain naturally first. This might include:
Light Therapy: Using 10,000 lux of light can be as effective as some medications for seasonal depression.
Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: Winter cravings for sugar can increase brain inflammation. We focus on foods that stabilize your mood.
Targeted Supplementation: We use science-backed supplements like Omega-3s and Magnesium to calm a stressed nervous system.
By combining modern science with a holistic lens, we create a plan that is as intentional as the life you have built. You are not a patient to be fixed; you are a woman who deserves to feel whole.
What are the best lifestyle changes for the Denver winter?
Self-care during Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month is about "behavioral activation"—choosing to move even when your body feels heavy. In Denver, we have the benefit of beautiful parks. Even a 15-minute walk at noon can help reset your internal clock.
I also encourage my clients to embrace "hygge"—the art of intentional coziness. If we must be indoors, let’s make it a sensory experience that calms the nervous system. Use warm lighting, soft textures, and nourishing foods. When we stop fighting the season and start working with it, the heavy feeling begins to lift.
How I Can Help
At Mind Alchemy Mental Health in Denver, Colorado, I offer holistic, integrative psychiatry designed for women who want real answers, not quick fixes. This Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, my goal is to help you move through the winter without losing your sense of self.
As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in female psychiatry and holistic women’s wellness, I take a root-cause, whole-person approach that looks beyond symptoms to uncover why you feel the way you do. Whether you’re struggling with focus, fatigue, or that heavy sense of “something’s off,” we’ll work together to help you feel balanced and clear again.
My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself and rebuild from the inside out, through holistic psychiatric care that combines science, empathy, and genuine partnership.
About the Author
Britt Ritchie, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a doctorate-prepared psychiatric nurse practitioner and the founder of Mind Alchemy Mental Health, a boutique integrative psychiatry practice based in Denver, Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month?
It is a dedicated time to educate the public on the biological reality of seasonal depression and to encourage early intervention.
How does a psychiatric nurse practitioner treat SAD?
I use an integrative psychiatry approach, combining traditional care with holistic tools like light therapy, nutrition, and supplements.
Is Seasonal Affective Disorder common in Denver?
Yes, despite the sun, the short days and low UV levels in Colorado winters lead to high rates of seasonal mood shifts.
What is the difference between the winter blues and SAD?
The "winter blues" are mild and do not stop you from functioning. SAD is a clinical depression that interferes with work, sleep, and relationships.
Can holistic treatments replace medication for SAD?
For many, yes. However, every brain is different. We work together to find the right balance of holistic and traditional care for your specific needs.
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