Pic courtesy of Sandra.
If you're among 4% of the population, the winter solstice brings about a negative chemical reaction: sluggishness, disrupted sleep cycles, over-eating and more. The medical term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder and is caused by lack of sunlight. If you are not interested in taking prescription anti-depressants, there are more natural ways that may combat the winter blues.
1) Increase your Vitamin D intake. Light produces Vitamin D in the body therefore it stands to reason that with lack of light there is lack of D vitamin. There are some studies that say there is no link but I found more research that says that increasing your intake, will help fight SAD.
2) Purchase a full spectrum light bulb. This helps to mimic natural daylight in your home when the sun goes down around 4 or 5. I have one of these and it doesn't really seem like sunlight to me. But, my apartment gets very little sunlight to begin with. Maybe it's the brand of bulb that is ineffective.
3) Exercise increases serotonin levels. This never fails to help me to feel better. An exercise that you genuinely enjoy (for me, spinning) makes it all the more beneficial.
4) Eat more poultry, avocados, dairy and bananas. These foods contain tryptophan which increases amino acids which serotonin are made of. (The fact that I haven't been eating poultry lately may have something to do with my disrupted sleep pattern. A turkey sandwich is in order-stat)
5) Take some St John's Wort. This herb has been used for treating mild depression. It comes in tea, liquid and pill form. I would do some research on drug interactions before taking it, however.
6) There are a few yoga poses for depression but this one is my favorite: Fish pose.
7-10) These last few suggestions are temporary fixes that are my own genius suggestions.
Listen to music and I don't mean something like Sade. I mean something like the Wham's "Wake Me up Before you Go Go" or Micheal Jackson's "Beat It." Wear essential oils/perfume with a "spring-like" smell. This would include something like Jasmine or Lilac which are natural pick-me-ups and remind one of warmer days and sunshine.
Wear or use bright colors whenever possible. Color your nails fushia, wear an orange pashmina, or do an online search for artists' work that use a lot of color. I found the one below on deviantART by Beyonme.
Watch something funny on TV. It takes a lot to crack me up but The Office (I dare you to watch the video below and not laugh) the Simpsons, Golden Girls or Good Times does the trick. Or better yet, talk to or hang out with someone that never fails to make you laugh
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