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AUTUMN
/
EARLY WINTER
2015
Autumn.
For most people in our region this is a time for celebrating the colours of the trees, long hikes
withoutbugs,andaculinary return topotsof soupandotherwarming foods.But formany this is thebeginning
ofanannual decline in theirmoodandenergy, commonlycalledSADor ‘thewinterblues’. Symptomscan
range frommild– suchasa tendency tooversleepandovereat, especiallycarbohydrates– tomoredebil-
itating– suchasadifficultyconcentrating, andwithdrawal from friendsand family.
Whilemany sufferersmaynot experience thedepthsof SADuntil January-February, now is the time to take
action. Thehabitsyoubeginat this timecanhelp lessen the intensityofyour symptomsandmayevenprevent
adrop inyourmoodaltogether. Somehelpful newhabits include...
Exercise -
Therearemany studies showingexercise tobe "nature'smoodenhancer".Achallengeoften
exists, though: who feelsmotivated to exercisewhen theyarealreadydown? The solution is to start now;
create thedaily routineof beingactive for 30minuteswhile theweather is still fair anddaylight hours are
longer. Thenwhen themornings are colder anddarker youwill alreadybeexperiencing thebenefits and
will find it easier toget moving. For evengreater benefit to your mood, do this activityoutsideas oftenas
possible. Evena30minutewalkwill suffice!
Your foodchoices-
Astudy (published in theArchivesofGeneralPsychiatry) following15,000people
showed that thosewhoateadiet high invegetables, fruits, nuts, legumesand fishhada lower incidenceof
developingdepression than thosewhoateamore typicalNorthAmericandiet. This is significant. If youare
seeking relevant recipes, look toTheMediterraneanDiet asagoodplace to start.
VitaminD -
Casuallyknownas 'thehappyvitaminofsummertime'.Eachperson'srequirement for thisnutrient
isdifferent;1capsuleof1,000IUwillnotmeeteverybody'sneeds.Theonlyway toknow ifyouareconsuming
enough is tohaveyourblood testedbyyourND (naturopathicdoctor)orMD (allopathicdoctor).
OtherNutritionalSupplements*-
Manypeoplenoticean improvementwithdailysupplementation
of products suchasSt. John’sWort andBvitamins.
*Bemindful that 'natural' doesnotmean 'safe'. If youare takingprescriptionmedicationsbe sure toconsult
withaknowledgeableNDprior tocommencingany supplementation.
Intravenous (IV) Therapy -
IV isoneof our favourite tools formooddisordersbecause itworks so
well. This is the infusion of vitamins, minerals andaminoacids directly in to your blood so you can start
feelingbetteras soonaspossible.
Pleasure -
Takenoteofwhat activities lift youupandgiveyou joy. Is itwalking throughanart gallery?
…spending timewithaspecificgroupof friends?…watchingMamaMia? Prioritize theseactivities throughout
thecomingmonths, going so faras to schedule them innow.
If prevention isnot enough for you thiswinter, be sure toaskyourNDorMD for help.
|E|
Whilemany
sufferersmay not
experience the
depths of SAD until
January-February,
now is the time
to take action.
DR. SHELBYWORTS, ND
ESCARPMENT
®
well-being
by Dr. ShelbyWorts, ND
5 tips for avoiding
thewinter blues
Seasonal
Affective
Disorder
