The Winter Blues
Well, the dark days of winter have descended upon us…
It is my firm contention that everyone who lives in Canada suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
For people who are high-energy types, the slowing down into a winter’s pace may feel rather refreshing. For those who suffer from a lack of energy, winter’s approach may feel like a life sentence in a cold prison.
What’s it all about? Light.
When we wake in the morning and it’s bright and sunny, the light penetrates through our systems and suppresses melatonin levels. Melatonin gives us that lovely dopey, sleepy, cozy feeling we get at night when it’s time to crawl into bed and call it a day. The challenge is when that light is not available to suppress those levels sufficiently, we wind up feeling dopey, sleepy and cozy all day long. If this only happened on lazy Sunday afternoons, we’d all suffer winter gladly. But trying to attend school, a job, raise children, hit the gym… These things all become an uphill battle when that melatonin is in high gear.
What to do? Simple: get light!
If you feel a mild to moderate dip: just adjust your schedule to free up any chance you see that sun shining, and get outdoors. Purchase warm and comfortable winter clothing and pick up a winter sport. Just know that every drop of sunshine counts and you will likely eliminate the S.A.D. effects entirely.
If you feel a moderate to severe dip: take your job a little more seriously. Research and purchase a Light Therapy unit. Don’t spend only a few dollars and expect full-spectrum light that cures your condition. Spend the time and the money and consider this an investment. Follow their instructions directly, but in essence, wake each morning and sit underneath this light, allowing it to do the job the sun would on sunny summer days.
And lastly, again, you need to do your own research, but there’s loads of evidence available to suggest that decent doses of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and a Vitamin D supplement will do wonders for the winter blues.
Always contact your physician if you feel you are struggling to cope. Our aim is to provide alternative avenues for exploration that may aid in your efforts to feel better.
Kim Sargent
Clinical Director
Canadian Family Health Counselling