Whether it’s in winter, in Covid-19 lockdown, or in a tough period, SAD can strike at any time. Especially when working in the adult entertainment sector. We must therefore fight it to avoid sinking. Here are some tips to help you get through it. Bye bye seasonal depression!

There are organisations like Pineapple Support that are there to help you if you need it. They provide health professionals and psychologists who are there to listen to you, give you support, etc. There are also tips you can use in your daily life to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). 

Success in the freelance sex industry depends on highly emotional work that can be taxing on your mind and body. No artist is complete without their tools. So how do you combat SAD when you’re a camgirl or camboy? 

 

Look after yourself physically

Having a healthy physical environment is essential for several reasons. Not only does it help maintain your body and health, but it is also very positive for your morale. You don’t have to do 3 hours every day, but it is proven that 30 minutes of physical activity has long-lasting benefits on the mind. Being physically rested, fit, and ready to face life head on each day will lay a good foundation for your emotional resilience during difficult times. Follow these guidelines to make the most of your off-season without sacrificing fitness.

1 – Say it, do it 

Saying you’re going to take up sport is good. But you have to actually do it too. This is the key to so much mental wellbeing, both from direct exercise and feeling good about your body. If you’re struggling, challenge yourself – make a pact with yourself to get going. Once the first session is done, it’s crucial to do it regularly for a long-term positive effect. 

2 – Surround yourself with positivity

Do something for yourself that makes you feel good. A good hot bath, a long shower, meditation, lively music, etc. In short, find the thing that makes you feel good and relaxes you. Recentring yourself helps you cope with life’s difficulties. 

3 – Take back power

Repeating positive phrases in front of the mirror every day has much more impact than you might think. Who could be better to motivate you than you? It also helps to build confidence, calm you down, and push you to action. Positivity attracts positivity. 

4 – Get some fresh air

When you are in front of your camera, except in exceptional cases, you stay at home. So go out, get some fresh air, even if it’s just a short walk. A change of environment and atmosphere can only do you good. Sometimes you have to disconnect in order to reconnect better afterwards. Plus, the sun will give you the vitamin D you need every day. 

 

Create a healthy mental environment 

Just as important as physical fitness, your mental environment has an impact on how you feel and what you are able to achieve. Many of us work from the comfort of our own homes, which can be a double-edged sword leading to increased isolation and a lack of motivation to pursue our dreams. The two major issues arising from this that can complicate mental health are introversion and isolation. So here are a few tips on how to combat the misery of SAD. 

1 – Introversion

Seasonal depression pushes us into a corner and often takes away our desire to work. A black mark when we know that we are the only ones who can promote ourselves, and that it takes optimism to do a good job. So, even if it seems counter-intuitive, push yourself to go ahead and do things. Get as much exposure as possible so that you’re seen and generate new contacts. Renewal is also a good leitmotif to get out of seasonal depression. And for that, you need to establish some rules such as: 

• maintaining a regular schedule. Make sure you set aside a specific time each day for taking calls, being on camera or otherwise engaging with your audience. And spend the rest of your time on other activities.
• Don’t waste time waiting. Whether it’s a phone call, a chat, a viewer, etc. Giving yourself schedules and sticking to them, reducing them if necessary, will give you the satisfaction of having done your job without having to give too much emotionally. Time is money, so do something useful with it. This will be very positive for your mental well-being. 

2 – Isolation 

It can be difficult to find a compassionate person to talk to and open up to in the adult entertainment industry. You can’t often talk to clients – they often turn to sex workers to escape their own problems and we always have to do our best not to break the fantasy they are paying for. Nor can we often talk to family – or most friends – without them blaming our work as the cause of emotional difficulties, while they constantly talk about the terrible stress of their work. So, finding other solutions is essential.

• Online communities are great for providing support, but it is also crucial to get out into the world and spend time with people. Real contact is needed to reconnect with the outside world sometimes. And it clears the mind. Spend time with your friends, go on a family outing, etc. Anything that inspires you and makes you feel good. 

• Exercise is always a great option, such as dance meets or even hiking, or you can volunteer in deprived areas. Maintain outside connections unrelated to your camming; something you can do to forget and help yourself recharge.

• Find an activities club. Socialising with small groups who may have the same interests in recreational activities as you do is very good for your social life and morale at the same time. 

 

 

Surround yourself with good people

Having healthy people around you is very important and defines you. Moreover, the best and most creative type of work comes from a calm and independent mind. When your mind is focused on those who believe in you, it has no time to negotiate. Trying not to do or think negative things just results in a double negative. Instead, focus on positive people and positive things. Test your ability to appreciate the little things in life in a big way – it will help you find your happiness.

Keep your surroundings clean and tidy. This helps your mind to concentrate and not to be disturbed by unnecessary things that might bother you. Surround yourself with positive things and people that will feed your positivity. Negative people are toxic in the long run and may have an impact on you in the wrong way. All this has to be cleared away in order to combat seasonal depression. 

Identify what affects you negatively, including in the social media you use. What you read, see, and hear always has an impact on your mind. Take the opportunity to find positive people to follow, who understand your daily life, and who will help motivate you. 

 

Now you know how to fight seasonal depression in your daily life. And if that is not enough, find someone you trust or a professional to help you further.