Does exercise help with SAD?

Consistently, yes. Exercise is one of the strongest non-pharmacological supports for depressive symptoms, and it stacks well with light therapy. Morning training is especially useful in winter because it bundles movement, light, routine, and social contact into one appointment.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Vancouver

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Vancouver from CrossFit BC. Vancouver gets six grey months. Light, movement, vitamin D, routine, and connection: the five levers that actually help with SAD, from local coaches.

Written by:: Dai Manuel
Section:: Health & Lifestyle
Reading time:: 8 min
Topics:: seasonal affective disorder, winter, mental health, vitamin D, Vancouver
Published:: Friday, August 14, 2026
Last updated:: Friday, August 14, 2026

Beating the Vancouver Winter Blues: A Practical Guide to Seasonal Affective Disorder

This article is part of the CrossFit BC journal, written by the coaching staff who run our classes in Olympic Village, Vancouver. We publish what we teach on the floor: training decisions, recovery, nutrition, and the honest tradeoffs behind them.

Common questions

What is seasonal affective disorder?

SAD is a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most commonly starting in late autumn and lifting in spring. Typical symptoms include low mood, low energy, oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, and withdrawal from social contact. It is diagnosable and treatable, so a persistent pattern is worth raising with your doctor.

Do light therapy lamps work?

Light therapy is one of the better-supported treatments for SAD. The usual protocol is a 10,000 lux lamp for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning, positioned off to the side rather than stared into. Talk to your doctor first if you have eye conditions or bipolar disorder.

How much vitamin D do people in Vancouver need?

At this latitude, skin synthesis of vitamin D is negligible between roughly October and April, and deficiency is common. Health Canada guidance and dosing depend on your levels, so the right move is a blood test and a conversation with your physician rather than guessing at a bottle.