The calendar says March begins on Sunday, but there’s more
snow in the forecast this weekend. I’m not even sure that the kids are looking
forward to the snow anymore. That’s a telling sign that we’re all getting a
little winter weary. Perspective is a good thing here. Our friends in New
England have every reason to whine about winter. It’s just winter as far as
Iowa is concerned.
But it’s easy to find ourselves struggling at this point in
the season. We’re getting tired of winter and ready to see some green grass. When
it’s more than just the blues, consider Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a
mental health issue that can create feelings of depression, sadness, and emptiness.
Our internal body clock relies on the pattern of the sunrise
and sunset. But external life, schedules, and alarm clocks force our body to
run on a different clock. People who experience SAD can report weight gain,
lack of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, difficulty
with decision-making and keeping track of details are just a few of the
symptoms of SAD.
So, how do we deal with this?
Exercise is a great mood-altering activity and it helps to
keep your risk of winter weight gain down. Looking for a place to workout? The
Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center at Postels is brand-new and ready for you 24
hours a day. Check it out on the web here.
See your doctor if symptoms of SAD are really affecting your
daily living.
Get outside. If it’s possible to take a brisk walk outdoors,
go for it. The daylight, fresh air, and cold temperature will be invigorating.
You also burn extra calories because your body is also working hard just to
keep you warm.
Meet up with friends and neighbors or pick up the phone and
call someone. Just connecting with others will be helpful. You might find that
they are experiencing some of the same feelings.
Eat well. Hot and hearty meals do not need to be heavy and
fattening. Choose wisely. Be careful with alcohol consumption. Being snowed in
may seem like a good reason to drink but it can make the blues and depression
worse.
Seek the light. Whether it is making it a point to be in a
sunny room or getting outside, it’s important to get as much daylight as
possible. And that’s not easy to do. Consider light therapy with a full
spectrum lamp or a specially designed light box.
Daylight Savings Time will happen on Sunday, March 8, and it
will take a couple of weeks for more daylight in the mornings, but it will
provide more daylight in the evening hours right away.
The good news is that March is just days away and the dawn
is coming a little earlier every morning and the sunset is happening a little
later every single day. Spring is coming. Take good care of yourself between
now and then.
From the National
Institute of Mental Health
Some people experience a serious mood change during the
winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This condition is called
seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a type of depression. It usually
lifts during spring and summer.
Not everyone with SAD has the same symptoms. They include:
Sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making
decisions
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Changes in weight
Thoughts of death or suicide
SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy. But
nearly half of people with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone.
Antidepressant medicines and talk therapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone
or combined with light therapy.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
No comments:
Post a Comment