Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

It’s coming up on that time of year again. It’s starting to get dark earlier, the days are getting shorter, and soon the temperature will drop off. A majority of people feel the effects of these changes both physically and emotionally. This is commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Typically symptoms include tiredness, fatigue, depression, crying spells, irritability, trouble concentrating, body aches, loss of sex drive, poor sleep, decreased activity level, and overeating, especially of carbohydrates. I myself have historically felt these effects.

Nobody needs additional sadness in their life, nor further obstacles to have to face in attaining their fitness/nutritional goals.

There are ways to combat this obstacle, and NOW is the time to start taking action before it really has a chance to set in. A large part of what causes these effects comes from a chemical reaction in your body. Researchers have found that bright light effects the chemicals in the brain. Less exposure to the Sun, and natural daylight also decreases your vitamin D levels.

So, if a lack of vitamin D is a large factor then this is when supplementing it is a good idea. Even if you drink milk, and take in other sources of vitamin D, the extra boost will be beneficial as your body will deplete it faster than usual. Typically the recommended dose is 1000 units a day which is one pill. It’s extremely affordable. 

One a day will make a world of difference in how you feel.

Another effective treatment is known as “Phototherapy”, which is simulated daylight. This is achieved through light boxes. Just as a green plant requires sunlight to grow, your body requires sunlight for proper cellular functioning.

When light enters your eye, it passes through the retina to your pineal gland. The pineal gland produces melatonin, an important neurotransmitter, which in turn influences the hypothalamus gland. The hypothalamus is responsible for controlling the body’s internal clock (sleep and wake cycles), appetite, metabolism, hormone production, reproductive function and mood. In addition, the ultraviolet rays in sunlight are absorbed through your skin, triggering the production of vitamin D.

St. John’s Wort has been known to amplify the effects light boxes have on you. One study showed that the combination of two hours of bright light therapy per day and 900 mg of St. John’s Wort extract was 20% more effective than the light box alone.

So before the dark, cold winter sets in start preparing, and take these simple measures to ensure your body’s good physical and mental health.