We Did a Deep Dive Into the Best Seasonal Depression Treatments Out There. Here Are Our Top 10.

If you choose to seek medication as part of your treatment for SAD, it is critical that you work with an experienced provider who is versed in the nuances of this disorder. Since seasonal depression is similar to major depression but is dependent on weather-related triggers, it is key that your provider knows the best type of medication for you and your situation, and when to adjust it. Talkiatry makes this easy. It matches you with a provider after a brief series of intake paperwork. Then, you can expect an hour-long initial consultation before landing on a medication plan. You will also book follow-up medication management sessions to make sure you stay on track throughout those dreary winter months. Heads up — Talkiatry offers care only to those with insurance. If you don’t have insurance but need care, check out Brightside Health.

Brightside Health offers an excellent value. Not only can you receive weekly 55-minute therapy sessions for $299 a month, but you also have access to an online CBT course, so you can reinforce the tools you’re learning in therapy between sessions. We also like that psychiatry services are available and can be bundled into the monthly therapy services. That means you don’t have to worry about seeking out a psychiatrist on another platform.

The subscription also allows you to engage in therapy for as long you need. “Therapy can be a seasonal tool, helping you prepare mentally, stay accountable to healthy habits, and reduce the sense of isolation,” explains licensed psychologist Nusha Nouhi, PhD. She offers virtual sessions through her practice, Marina Health of California, and is attuned to the practical benefits therapy can offer for seasonal affective disorder. “Therapy isn’t just for crisis — think of it as your winter resilience plan,” she continues.

Brightside also offers crisis care for those experiencing suicidal ideation. This is a rarity among mental health platforms, and we appreciate that it offers a virtual solution for those who are experiencing severe mental health challenges. Keep in mind that this platform focuses on tracking progress through measuring symptoms each week. If that is a turnoff, then this may not be the platform for you.

For around $15, you can get a month’s supply of Here Comes the Sun, making it an excellent value. It features a gentle vegan formula encapsulated in easy-to-swallow pills. Since it is compatible with GLP-1s, those using Ozempic, Wegovy, and the like can safely take this. Something to keep in mind: Vitamin D deficiency can vary based on the person. For those with more severe deficiencies, an over-the-counter product like this may not offer enough support. If you’re uncertain of where you land, consider getting lab work done and asking for your doctor’s recommendation.

We like that this light has a small footprint, is aesthetically pleasing, and packs a punch when it comes to light. But you do need to sit quite close to it, with the instructions stating you should be 15 to 17 inches away from the center of the light. According to the brand, this tool works well in conjunction with exercise, healthy sleep hygiene, and getting as much outdoor sunlight as possible. The price may be steep for some, but the light comes with a seven-year warranty, so you can count on getting plenty of use out of it over the years.

Kara Duval, the founder of the platform, teaches every class and combines Pilates and strength exercises with functional movement. Having personally used Range myself, I can speak to something especially unique about the platform: Duval leans into the coziness. Some classes are taught by candlelight; she sips coffee between reps, and you’re likely to see her big dog draped somewhere near her yoga mat. She’s based in Vermont and often speaks to how our bodies need different movements in different seasons, making her workouts perfect for those who need extra support during long winters. Keeping in mind that community is an important aspect of wellness, there is an active chat forum within the platform that allows users from around the world to connect.

While it is wonderful that she has created many different themes for her workouts, it has left her digital library of classes extremely full, so it may take a bit to get the hang of finding a class. You can pay a monthly subscription fee of about $35 or opt for the semi-annual price of around $175. This may be a bit more expensive than other virtual fitness platforms, but she offers sliding scale fees for those experiencing hardship.

While it has been established that light therapy is excellent for treating seasonal depression, some light lamps can be rather expensive. We set out to find a highly rated light box at a reasonable price with a minimum of 10,000 lux, since that is the recommended light for effective treatment. We found the Erligpowht Light Therapy Lamp and, upon noticing its handy timer function, adjustable brightness levels, and reasonable price, we became confident that this is one of the best budget tools for treating seasonal depression.

Since the main component of seasonal affective disorder is the presence of depressive symptoms in seasons with a lack of light, the fact that red light is beneficial for depression means it can also be beneficial for seasonal affective disorder. A benefit of taking this route is that it will also boost your collagen production and reduce the appearance of scars. A few things to keep in mind: The brightness of this light is intense, so you will want to opt for the included protective goggles when using it. It is also a rather expensive option at over $350. You can try the product for 60 days, and if you feel the investment isn’t worth it, you can send it back.

We were particularly interested in an alarm clock that could be controlled with an app for the convenience aspect. With app control, you can shift the settings without having to be directly next to the clock. The sunset mode mimics the light emitted when the sun sets, offering an evening relaxation method. We like that it can double as a sound machine, with 10 different nature sounds available. Heads up — the tabletop stand can be a bit flimsy, and the buttons can be hard to read. But the light can be mounted to the wall, and the settings can be controlled via the app, so we consider these cons to be minor.