19 Apr Rise and Shine!
The days are getting longer, the sun is shining earlier in the morning. On days like this, it is easier to get up in the morning ready to start your day. It has been a long dreary winter, and one of the darkest ones we have experienced in years, with fewer hours of sunshine than in previous years. This lack of sunlight can affect people’s moods and energy levels, and interfere with your everyday activities. This is called SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some signs you may be experiencing SAD are feelings of depression, losing interest in activities you enjoyed in the past, low energy, difficulty concentrating, oversleeping, over eating and weight gain, and social withdrawal.
It is difficult to get motivated to do almost anything when you are experiencing symptoms like these, however, there are remedies that can help you. It has been shown that Light Therapy can be helpful for lifting your mood and alleviating other symptoms of SAD. Light Therapy works by using a lightbox and exposing you to light for a period of time every day, preferably in the morning. This mimics the effect of natural sunlight, stimulating the production of serotonin (the “feel good” chemical that is naturally produced in your body) which can relieve some of the symptoms and improve your mood. The lightbox can be placed beside you while you are sitting at a desk or watching TV, you do not have to look directly at it, just as you would not look directly into the sun.
Similarly, you can use a sunrise alarm clock to awaken you. In the winter, you are usually awakening in the dark, before the sun comes up, which can make you feel lethargic, and not ready to fully wake up yet. You can set the sunrise clock to slowly increase the amount of light as you awaken, creating an artificial sunrise, with the gradual onset of daylight, even when it may still be dark outside.
Following these suggestions will make you feel more energetic and focussed, and put you in a better mood to make your day as productive as possible. If you are still experiencing symptoms of SAD, please consult with your healthcare practitioner for suggestions for proper nutrition, including vitamins and supplements for good health, and other recommendations.
Until then, we are all look forward to a bright, sunny spring and summer!