Recognizing the signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Last month we switched the clocks and began the season of short days and long nights. For many of us, especially women, mood changes can occur with this change of season, leaving us feeling depressed, anxious and with signs of greater fatigue – even greater than the traditional winter blahs.

Based on a report from the American Academy of Family Physicians, almost half a million people in America feel the effects of winter-onset depression or as it is referred to medically, Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Sufferers can experience symptoms including lack of energy, as well as insomnia and weight gain. The symptoms can begin mildly but become more severe as winter continues. These feelings can alleviate during the spring and summer but very often recur each winter.

While many women are already in the midst of the hectic holiday season, trying to juggle family demands and work pressures, plan family gatherings and shop for holiday gifts and cook for untold numbers of visitors, the shorter, colder days of winter seem to throw more women than men into seasonal affective disorder. Often women begin to fabricate excuses for not going out and begin to isolate themselves as a protective measure.

If any of this sounds familiar to you or someone you know, here is some advice to help you reduce the stress of winter and help keep you happy and healthy throughout the holiday season:

1. Prioritize your activities. Decide what needs to get done and what you’ll enjoy doing. Let other people in your family help by doing what they do best and then let it go.

2. Don’t be afraid to say NO. You can’t do everything. But do get yourself out there. Make a list of what’s important to you and be sure you do something each day. But don’t put too much emphasis on one day. It’s okay to stay at home in your pjs for one (or maybe two) days!

3. If you feel your depression is taking over, especially if getting out of bed is difficult or you find you don’t want to socialize and can’t sleep, get some help. Sometimes just talking about how you’re feeling can release pent up stress.

4. Incorporate some natural solutions into your daily routine to increase your mind-body health. Try meditation, relaxation techniques, guided visualizations, light therapy or even walk through the woods with a friend.

5. Don’t forget your other healthy habits. Be sure to get lots of sleep, eat a healthy, balance diet and take time for yourself. Don’t use alcohol, food or unprescribed drugs for relief.

6. Finally, lighten up in more ways than one. Try to find ways to turn your home into a lighter, brighter place. Be sure your blinds are up when the sun is and let in the light! And don’t forget to laugh. Spending time with friends who can make you smile is one the best ways to bet the blues.

To help you on your way to a happy mind and a healthy body, we’re offering Healing Rhythms’ 15-Step Biofeedback Training Program with FREE SHIPPING now through December 31, 2008. Give the gift of wellness to you or someone you love this holiday season.