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Do you feel blah? I sure do. I am having a hard time motivating myself and connecting with life’s joys these days. Short winter days, clouds, rain, and very little exposure to sun light are all contributing to my mood. It seems as I age I am suffering more and more from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a form of depression, with a mild form of it called the winter blues. It is brought on by a lack of exposure to sunlight.
I wonder how I survived growing up in Berlin, Germany, where the winter lasts 6 months. So, it’s definitely not something someone gets used to. Now what are some of the options to dealing with this kind of depression?
- Light bulbs. Full-spectrum lights have a bluish glow and reflect a broad range of colors that are very similar to natural sunlight. These lights can improve your mood, your immune system, your sleep, and even enhance mental concentration.
- Exercise. One of the most beneficial exercises in fighting depression is walking. Get outside and get some exercise. I also recommend more strenuous exercise like cardio and strength training to get the mood enhancing endorphins going.
- Nutrition. Another way to beat the winter blues is to stick with good nutrition. While your body might be craving comfort foods, it will ultimately be much better for your body and your mood to stick with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. So resist the urge to snack on sweets and starchy foods. How about fixing a comforting yet healthy chicken-vegetable soup?
- Supplements. There is a wide range of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs that can help alleviate depression. Many of them support brain function and specifically serotonin levels. Others support normal hormone balance, specifically of the thyroid and adrenal glands.
- A good quality multi-vitamin / mineral supplement.
- 5-HTP (5-hydroxy-tryptophan) is used by your body to make serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter.
- St. John’s Wort is an herb that can fight depression. However, it needs to be taking consistently for a month to two to show results.
I hope some of these tips will help you feel better this winter and bring back your motivation to become stronger, healthier, and happier.
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