Happy New Year!

Happy 2011! 

I hope it is starting to sink in that we are in 2011.  How on earth did that happen?

I have been thinking a lot about how difficult January is especially for those of us who live in colder climates.  The cold weather, lack of sunlight and the post-holiday let down all contribute to intense feelings of lethargy and fatigue.  I know that I feel especially tired this time of year.  I think my body wants to hibernate right now and sleep a lot.  I have also noticed that I am really strongly craving carbohydrates especially noodles and potatoes. 

And, you may be feeling sad this time of year.  There is actually a term for this- it is called Seasonal Affected Disorder or SAD.  This condition is thought to occur because of the lack of sunlight during the winter months.  Here is some basic information about SAD according to the Canadian Mental Health Association at http://www.cmha.ca/;

What is SAD? How is it different from the winter blues?


Many people feel mildly “depressed” during the winter, but some people have more severe bouts of feeling down all the time, low energy, problems with sleep and appetite, loss of interest, and reduced concentration to the point where they have difficulty functioning at work or in the home. We say that these people have a clinical depression, to distinguish it from everyday ups and downs. Seasonal affective disorder (“affective” is a psychiatric term for mood), or SAD, describes people who have these clinical depressions only during the autumn and winter seasons. During the spring and summer, they feel well and “normal”.

Other common symptoms of SAD include oversleeping, extreme fatigue, increased appetite with carbohydrate craving, overeating, and weight gain. With more severe episodes, people may have suicidal thoughts.

How common is SAD?

Researchers believe that SAD results from the shorter daylength in winter. Recent studies estimate that SAD is more common in northern countries because the winter day gets shorter as you go farther north. Studies in Ontario suggest that 2% to 3% of the general population have SAD. This means that up to 100,000 people in B.C. may have difficulties in the winter due to significant clinical depression. Another 15% of people have the “winter blahs” – winter symptoms similar to SAD, but not to the point of having a clinical depression

What Can I Do About SAD?
 
1.  In the last several decades, there has been a lot of research done in the importance of Vitamin D.  Interestingly, the shorter daylength may be connected to the lack of sunlight.  I highly recommend taking a Vitamin D supplement during the winter.  A recommended dose would be 4000iu per day for adults and 300iu for children under the age of 10.
 
2. If you suspect you may have SAD- a more severe form of the winter blahs, please visit with your Medical Doctor.  In Ontario, you can get a referral for light therapy which may be useful during the winter months.
 
3.  Exercise!  Whether or not you have a New Year's resolution or not.  Exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise, produces adrenaline.  There are also side benefits of increased energy, better sleep and better mood.
 
4. Diet!  No, I am not telling you to necessarily go on a fad diet here.  No matter how much your body tries to tell you to eat lots of sugar and carbs, try to resist these cravings as much as possible.  Try to minimize sugar and dairy.  Eat fruit, vegetables and lean sources of protein as much as possible.
 
5.  Keep your immune system healthy!  You can do this by eating a healthy diet, getting exercise, getting enough sleep.  I like to have a shot of wheatgrass in a little bit of juice every morning as I find it gives me a boost and also is chock full of lots of vitamins and minerals.  You can also take Homeopathic Flu Prevention to further protect yourself against Influenza.  (See my previous post on this subject)
 
6. Finally, if you find you are suffering from fatigue that just doesn't go away.  Visit your medical doctor to ascertain you are not deficient in Vitamin B12 or Iron.  Also, you might want to consider visiting a Homeopath to help with chronic health issues such as low energy and fatigue.
 
For more information, visit my website at http://www.redpearlhomeopathy.com/.  I do offer free mini-consultations over the telephone.  This is an opportunity for you to find our more how Homeopathic Medicine can improve your health.