Looking at the grey skies and snow today, i was wondering how everyone is feeling today? And how their moods are going to change with the shorter darker days, with snow and slush. A lot of people who suffer from SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder– can feel quite sad, low on energy, experience low moods and weight gain during the winter months especially in January and February. If you do suffer from SAD – here are simple suggestions that will help you feel more positive and hopefully put you in a better mood.
1. Try spending atlas a 1/2 hour outdoors perhaps walking in the winter sunlight.
2. If you are unable to get enough sunlight, try to get a SAD lamp for at home phototherapy.
3. Talk to your Doctor about testing your Vitamin D levels as quite often low Vitamin D levels may also effect your mood and motivation.
Worry, depression and anger are toxic not only to your happiness but also to your immune system, sleep and your heart. Everyone goes through ups and downs at times and its perfectly normal to feel sad or upset, however, chronic depression can make you very vulnerable to illness and aggravates various health issues such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are some suggestions that you can try to stave off these feelings:
1. Maintain an active social life and network and stay involved in living happily.
2. Go out and exercise a little which helps to raise your spirits and help raise your feeling good hormones or endorphins. Exercise and weight lifting in some cases is helpful in preventing depression in the first place! As low testosterone levels could also effect mood and your motivation, which can be improved by activities such as weight lifting.
3. Talk to your Doctor about sending you to a psychologist who is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
4. There are various natural homeopathic and natural herbs such as St. John’s Wort but these should be only taken under the guidance of a naturopathic doctor who would be familiar with drug and herb interactions especially if you are taking prescription medication for depression and other mood disorders.
5. Try some Acupuncture!
By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.