It’s been a long, cold month since my last blog. With this recent snow storm, I am at home today and wanted to reach out to you. Every winter, I experience the winter blues or otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. The bone chilling winds along with the drop in temperature add up to one melancholy woman! This season is a time when I tend to hibernate, not socialize much, turn inward, and plan my escape to somewhere tropical. My dream is to have a home in a hot climate for me to run to at the first signs of winter. My body thrives in the heat, either dry or humid weather.
Those cloudy and dark days are known to drop serotonin levels as well as disrupt the body’s internal clock affecting melatonin levels as well. Up to 20% of Americans feel the winter blues as the days get darker.
If you think you suffer from SAD, here are some symptoms:
- Irritability
- Tiredness or low energy
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Feeling melancholy
- Low interest in activities
Here are a few changes you can do to help alleviate the winter blues:
- Vitamin D3 5000IU per day
- Plan a tropical trip!
- Light therapy: It mimics natural sunlight. I just bought one that slowly lights up 30 minutes before I need to wake up.http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HF3500-60-Wake-Up-Light/dp/B00F0W1RIW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422386886&sr=8-2&keywords=phillips+light+therapy+alarm
- Watch your carb and sugar intake to avoid gaining weight!
- Try to exercise or get a new winter exercise routine
- See at therapist if symptoms worsen
- Get to bed early
The light therapy has helped tremendously especially on those dark, early mornings. If you experience the winter blues and have any tips that have helped you, I’d love to know!
Be well and stay warm,
