How to Prepare For Seasonal
Affective Disorder
When the seasons change you
have to be ready for a change in mood, especially as we move from fall into
winter. Although it may not seem as drastic of a shift as you think, it matters
more to our mental and physical states than you may know. Seasonal Affective Disorder is estimated to affect around 10 million Americans a year, and this
isn’t even the full number of reported cases.
As we begin to lose the
summer sun and transition into the darker months of the year, depression and
fatigue seem to make that transition with us. But, there are ways to shake off
the impending gloom and brighten your day, if you follow some of these steps
you can combat seasonal affective disorder and find yourself being just as
happy as you are in the warm summer months.
Try light therapy. Doctors
have called this idea phase shifting. Because we lose sunlight so quickly as we
head into the winter, you should start setting out bright lights when beginning
your day. By eating breakfast and starting your daily routine under bright
indoor lights, you get used to not having sunlight and can better acclimate to
your new surroundings.
Exercise. Exercise.
Exercise. Regular exercise works wonder for depression in general, so why would
it not work for SAD-induced depression? By maintaining regular exercise habits
you can work to get rid of the fatigue, depression and tiredness by adding at
least 60 minutes a day of activity into your life.
These next two ideas go
hand in hand, as both work together to not only combat SAD, but promote a
healthy lifestyle. Maintain a heart-healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. No
brainers? Maybe. But, you would be surprised at the amount of people who do not
follow both or one of these guidelines, I’m sure you know someone who fits into
those categories. Make sure to maintain a regular sleep schedule while keeping
up with a heart-healthy diet in order to fight seasonal affective disorder.
Last, but not least, try
acupuncture! Acupuncture is a great solution to combating SAD. There are
various points on the body that have been known to alleviate symptoms of SAD. A
primary point that should be addressed when treating SAD is Yintang, and when
being treated for SAD by an acupuncturist you should be seen between one to two
times a week.
Try some of these
techniques and you should have no problem battling and conquering the seasonal
affective disorder that may be bothering you this winter.
Bishara Wilson
New York Sports Acupuncture
888.375.5444
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