Unkle_John
01-14-2008, 07:22 AM
I suffer from this, and I am currently fighting the urge to be sad.
Help to Beat the Winter Blues
by Jaime Netzer
After the holiday decorations have come down and your relatives have
all gone home, you may find yourself stuck with a case of the winter
blues. Colder temperatures and limited sunshine can make anyone feel
like curling up in bed rather than facing the outside world.
Each year, millions of Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during the winter
months. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but the decreasing daylight
that wintertime brings is thought to be a trigger for the condition.
Even if you dont suffer from SAD, the short days of winter can be
enough to make anyone feel down.
The good news is there are many affordable, natural remedies for the
winter blues. One simple option is to try to get more sunshine,
whether by spending more time sitting next to a window when youre
inside, or increasing the amount of time you spend outdoors each day.
For more severe cases of seasonal depression, a common treatment is
light therapy, in which patients sit in front of light boxes for an
allotted time each day for exposure to artificial sunshine.
Here are a few other remedies that can help combat dreary winter
moods:
St. John's Wort
This herb has been found to help alleviate mild to moderate
depression, and it works as well as standard antidepressants,
according to the journal American Family Physician. You should consult
with your health care professional before starting a regimen of St.
Johns Wort to find out about possible issues with other medications.
For example, taking this herb can compromise the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives.
Yoga
Studies have shown that all types of yoga are effective as
complementary treatment for depression. Relatively inexpensive and
easy to learn, yoga can help move your focus inward and bring calm to
your body and mind. Yoga is helpful because it provides emotional,
psychological and physical benefits to your body. Learn more about
yoga here.
Vitamin D
Current research indicates that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to
a wide range of health problems including osteoporosis, multiple
sclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and yes, depression.
The best way to get vitamin D might seem obvious: Get some sun! But it
may also be a good idea to consider vitamin D supplements. In the
winter, the low angle of the sun can make it difficult for some
populations to get enough vitamin D, for example the elderly, and
those who live at northern latitudes. You can learn much more about
vitamin D, and whether or not supplements are a good idea for you, in
the February/March issue of Mother Earth News, which goes on sale Jan.
29.
I think it's b/c yule time is so hyped up since September and then it comes and then it's over. I have been trying to celebrate a little each day before and after the holiday season so that I don't get depressed. It's been helping, but I think this year being a very mild winter, it's been easier to handle it.
Help to Beat the Winter Blues
by Jaime Netzer
After the holiday decorations have come down and your relatives have
all gone home, you may find yourself stuck with a case of the winter
blues. Colder temperatures and limited sunshine can make anyone feel
like curling up in bed rather than facing the outside world.
Each year, millions of Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during the winter
months. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but the decreasing daylight
that wintertime brings is thought to be a trigger for the condition.
Even if you dont suffer from SAD, the short days of winter can be
enough to make anyone feel down.
The good news is there are many affordable, natural remedies for the
winter blues. One simple option is to try to get more sunshine,
whether by spending more time sitting next to a window when youre
inside, or increasing the amount of time you spend outdoors each day.
For more severe cases of seasonal depression, a common treatment is
light therapy, in which patients sit in front of light boxes for an
allotted time each day for exposure to artificial sunshine.
Here are a few other remedies that can help combat dreary winter
moods:
St. John's Wort
This herb has been found to help alleviate mild to moderate
depression, and it works as well as standard antidepressants,
according to the journal American Family Physician. You should consult
with your health care professional before starting a regimen of St.
Johns Wort to find out about possible issues with other medications.
For example, taking this herb can compromise the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives.
Yoga
Studies have shown that all types of yoga are effective as
complementary treatment for depression. Relatively inexpensive and
easy to learn, yoga can help move your focus inward and bring calm to
your body and mind. Yoga is helpful because it provides emotional,
psychological and physical benefits to your body. Learn more about
yoga here.
Vitamin D
Current research indicates that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to
a wide range of health problems including osteoporosis, multiple
sclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and yes, depression.
The best way to get vitamin D might seem obvious: Get some sun! But it
may also be a good idea to consider vitamin D supplements. In the
winter, the low angle of the sun can make it difficult for some
populations to get enough vitamin D, for example the elderly, and
those who live at northern latitudes. You can learn much more about
vitamin D, and whether or not supplements are a good idea for you, in
the February/March issue of Mother Earth News, which goes on sale Jan.
29.
I think it's b/c yule time is so hyped up since September and then it comes and then it's over. I have been trying to celebrate a little each day before and after the holiday season so that I don't get depressed. It's been helping, but I think this year being a very mild winter, it's been easier to handle it.