Seasonal Affective Disorder
by Beryl
Whiting
zone3
Why do December, January and February seem such long difficult months
to get through? More and more evidence points to the lack of sunlight in
the Winter months resulting in a variety of health problems.
As far back as 1845, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was recognised.
It has always been known that animals alter their habits, behaviour and
metabolism with the changing seasons, but less well known that humans too
are affected by these changing sunlight patterns. It is not fully
understood how lack of sunlight affects our moods but somehow it seems to
affect the body’s chemistry leading to a variety of symptoms
including:
Overeating of carbohydrates and craving sugary foods leading to weight
gain
Depression and the negative feelings associated with low mood
Anxiety
Irritability and tension
Lethargy leading to extreme fatigue and demotivation
Lack of libido
Sleep problems, either inability to sleep, early morning waking or
difficulty waking in the morning
The above symptoms could lead to a lowered immune system, leaving
sufferers more vulnerable to the common infections of the winter season.
Some sufferers also exhibit bursts of manic activity during the Spring and
Summer.
Those affected tend to be women in their 20’s to 40‘s.
Help in the form of ‘light boxes’ is at hand. These specially designed
light boxes provide up to 5-10 times the amount of light normally produced
by domestic lighting. The light needs to shine directly into the eyes with
the sufferer sitting a short distance away and be exposed to the light for
between 15 and 45 minutes daily. They can be effective in up to 85 per
cent of cases and work relatively quickly.
The further away from the equator people live the more likely they are
to suffer from SAD as the daylight hours are fewer. In Nordic countries
with up to 20 per cent of the population suffering from SAD and worryingly
high winter suicide rates, one solution has been to the open ‘Light
Cafes’. Illuminated by light boxes, café goers can socialise and enjoy the
benefits of the ‘light therapy’ boosting their sense of well being.
Daily outdoor exercise has shown to be generally very helpful in
alleviating symptoms, particularly when the sun is shining. Winter
holidays in the sun are also recommended.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
NLP Coach and Personal Development Trainer, Beryl Whiting delivers
professionally developed management training programmes to individuals and
blue-chip organisations. You can contact Beryl via her website http://www.berylwhiting.com/ and complete her free on line
stress assessment. Alongside running a Coaching and Therapy practise,
Beryl also teaches yoga, meditation and relaxation to individuals or
corporations.
Depression Related Articles:
 Why Some Women are Desperate
Recognizing Acute Stress
Depression: A Treatable Illness
8 Things You Can Do For Someone Suffering from Depression
Anxiety and Depression Treatment - 5 Tips for Beating Depression
Midlife: Single & Depressed? Try Dancing
How to Cope With Stress and Anxiety
Omega 3 EPA: Nature’s Very Own Anti-Depressant
Stop Your Destructive Inner Voice
The Scoop on Stress
|
Go to Page: 