Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. ~Author Unknown
The holidays are over, It's almost February, the days are cold, the
nights are long and you are feeling depressed. There are two more long
months of winter and it 
seems like an eternity. You keep thinking to
yourself, "I wish it were spring." Sound familiar? Many of us feel a
little blue at this time of year. We may be a bit lethargic, or
wish that we could stay in our warm bed a little longer, some of us
even gain some weight. This is normal. However, if you are really
down, have no energy, are having difficulties at work as well as with your significant others and can't see a way through it, you may have the mental
health condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This condition can be debilitating because is stops you from engaging in your usual activities.
seems like an eternity. You keep thinking to
yourself, "I wish it were spring." Sound familiar? Many of us feel a
little blue at this time of year. We may be a bit lethargic, or
wish that we could stay in our warm bed a little longer, some of us
even gain some weight. This is normal. However, if you are really
down, have no energy, are having difficulties at work as well as with your significant others and can't see a way through it, you may have the mental
health condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This condition can be debilitating because is stops you from engaging in your usual activities. Symptoms of SAD are very similar to melancholia, but they occur during a certain time of year, mainly late fall through winter and continue until the spring thaw when there is an increase in sunlight. The mental health condition depression is not only seasonal, but it can manifest itself at anytime.
Here are some symptoms that are associated with SAD
- Mood changes An overwhelming feeling of gloom, despondency, self- loathing, easily angered. There might also be bouts of crying and extreme sensitivity to criticism.
- Lack of energy Feeling listless, and sluggish for no reason.
- Lack of pleasure Things that you loved doing are no longer fun. Daily activities are now drudgery. You are not satisfied with anything you do and beat yourself up about it by feeling guilty.
- Changes in rest patterns You find yourself sleeping much longer, sometimes all day.
- Difficulty focusing Little or no motivation to complete tasks that you usually breeze through.
- Changes in diet You have cravings for "comfort foods", like sweets and carbs. You may also experience a weight gain, which of course adds to your feelings of self-hate.
- Lack of socializing You have no desire to do things with your friends. This effects your self-esteem and enhances the negative feelings that you are having about yourself.
About six out of every one hundred individuals are bothered by this disorder, it can affect children as well as teens and young adults beginning in their twenties. Women are four times more susceptible to SAD than men, and people who have other family members suffering from depression may have a predisposition to it. Another interesting phenomenon about this mental health condition is that those of us living in the southern latitudes are less apt to experience SAD than our northern neighbors because daylight hours last longer there.
It is believed that diminished exposure to the sun alters the brain's production of two important chemicals, melatonin and serotonin, that help to regulate our sleeping and
waking patterns. Melatonin is essential for sleep and is produced primarily at night while we rest. During the dark winter months, the production of melatonin increases and can make us drowsy and lethargic. An increase of light is needed for the production of serotonin. So as you can see, we have the perfect conditions for depression, too much darkness and not enough light.
waking patterns. Melatonin is essential for sleep and is produced primarily at night while we rest. During the dark winter months, the production of melatonin increases and can make us drowsy and lethargic. An increase of light is needed for the production of serotonin. So as you can see, we have the perfect conditions for depression, too much darkness and not enough light.I would like to make you aware of a few natural alternative remedies that are employed to help keep the symptoms of SAD in check.
Foot reflexology helps to alleviate the stress and tension from SAD. This type of therapy utilizes the application of tender massage to pressure points on our foot that correspond to various body parts. - Herbal teas are helpful Try Hops tea which has a relaxing effect when you are especially nervous and irritable. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp of hops. Let sit for 10 minutes, strain and enjoy.
- Exercise does wonders because it releases those "feel good endorphins". Try yoga, tai chi , meditation , or even vigorous exercise.
Psychotherapy is an option that I would like to mention.Talking to a well trained 
professional who understands your mental health, really helps. One of the symptoms of depression is extreme negative feelings about yourself and life in general. A therapist can help you gain an awareness of why you have this condition and assist in setting up an appropriate method of treatment. In addition to counseling, prescription medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed as they are used to regulate the production of melatonin and serotonin.
professional who understands your mental health, really helps. One of the symptoms of depression is extreme negative feelings about yourself and life in general. A therapist can help you gain an awareness of why you have this condition and assist in setting up an appropriate method of treatment. In addition to counseling, prescription medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed as they are used to regulate the production of melatonin and serotonin. Well, I think that is enough for today!! Please stay tuned for my next blog on Light Therapy, a self healing technique that has been instrumental in the treatment of Seasonal Affective disorders.
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
Pittsburgh, PA.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Reference
References
The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
Pittsburgh, PA.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Reference
