Do you feel like your energy and mood are wiped out in the wintertime? Or just blah? Or maybe even worse into a depressed state in the winter? It could very well be Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:
· Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
· Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
· Having low energy
· Having problems with sleeping
· Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
· Feeling sluggish or agitated
· Having difficulty concentrating
· Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
· Oversleeping
· Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
· Weight gain
· Tiredness or low energy
Fortunately, there are many great holistic things you can do both proactively to keep your mood uplifted in the wintertime as well as things you can do when you’re in the depths of it. Here are some of them:
· Listen to uplifting music often throughout the day (and avoid depressing music)
· Be careful what you’re watching, reading, etc. in the news, social media, etc. Eliminate or minimize anything that is discouraging, that causes anxiety or sadness, etc.
· Prioritize social time with others (in person)! When people feel these symptoms, they tend to withdraw more which is exactly the opposite of what will help them feel better. Get some coffee/tea dates, beneficial events to attend, community groups, etc. on your calendar!
· Exercise! Research shows that many people can manage or avoid SAD with 30 to 60 minutes of exercise and 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight each day. In addition, data show exercisers have lower rates of recurrent depression compared with study participants who do not exercise
· Take Vitamin D daily! There’s a strong link to Vitamin D deficiency and the timing of seasonal depression! https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286496.php#5 Products from Young Living that contain Vitamin D include: Mindwise, OmegaGize, Master Formula, Super Cal Plus.
· Avoid alcohol, refined sugar, and other addictive substances that can worsen depression.
· Take/increase Super B! There is a strong link between deficiency of B vitamins and mood, depression, anxiety, etc. Take anywhere from 2 to 6 Super B daily as needed.
· Use your Young Living oils often throughout the day!
In a 2013 article, researchers at Xiamen University, China, commented: “Most studies have indicated that various essential oils, such as lavender, lemon and bergamot can help to relieve stress, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Most notably, inhalation of essential oils can communicate signals to the olfactory system and stimulate the brain to exert neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine) thereby further regulating mood.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23531112
In addition to bergamot and lemon, other oils to use include:
o Black Pepper
o Jasmine
o Grapefruit
o Rosemary
o Clary Sage
o Rose
o Joy
o Hope
o Brain Power