Are you SAD?
You feel tired, cranky, anxious and unhappy. And have been raiding the chocolate stash. There also may be some aches and pains that weren’t apparent before.
What’s going on? You may be dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which is considered a type of depression, according to Johns Hopkins University. It is thought to be caused by the lack of sunlight in the winter season- those days when the sun seems to go down right after lunch. SAD is not unusual; about 5% of the adult population experiences it, with the rate up to four times higher in women.
Acupuncture can help. Chinese medicine works with the seasons. That is, as a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I make recommendations based on the weather, the temperature and the foods available for a specific time of year. In fact, a lot of what I suggest sounds like traditional grandmotherly advice; it might be worthwhile trying these ideas.
- Early Bedtime. That feeling of fatigue is our body telling us to hibernate. In modern times we can’t go to bed at 7 p.m. but we can often get there by 9 or 9:30. Yes, I know your teenagers will still be up.
- Stay Warm. I am often astounded by the way many people dress in the cold. Your body works harder to maintain body temperature when it is inadequately dressed, and fatigue is the likely outcome.
- Eat for Winter. Hearty soups, stews, warm beverages, squashes, yams and sweet potatoes provide nutrition and enable the digestive tract (the spleen and stomach in Chinese medicine) to function optimally.
- Keep Exercising. Just be moderate.
- Get Acupuncture. Regular acupuncture treatments optimize the function of neurotransmitters, enabling enhanced circulation of serotonin and endorphins (the feel-good chemicals).
Questions on how best to survive winter? Contact me at [email protected]. Or go to www.morninglightacupuncturenj.com to book an appointment online. Check out our great Black Friday rates.
Dr. Sara Youner owns Morning Light Acupuncture in Springfield, New Jersey.
