Feeling Blue?

Feeling Blue?

The shorter and dreary days along with the colder weather of winter and lack of sunlight can make anyone feel down.   Keeping yourself cooped up during winter can also leave you feeling melancholy, irritable, or tired. For quite a few of us, its tough to function during the winter months.

If this sounds like you, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal depression can affect your health, your relationships, and enjoyment you once had for your daily activities. No matter how hopeless you feel, there are simple things you can do to lift your mood and bring you back into balance.

Here are some ideas on what you can do now:

• Talk to a good friend or a health professional
• Take Vitamin D (more required in winter)
• Drink lots of pure, filtered water
• Go for a walk and get natural sunlight daily
• Move, don’t sit for more than an hour
• Talk to someone, even if it means asking for someone to come over for a visit
• Learn about the mood-boosting effects of omega-3 fats
• Learn relaxation techniques
• Take up a short-term hobby, like art, tai chi, or go listen to some live local music
• Get a massage
• Inhale wild orange, bergamot, lavender, ylang ylang or lemon essential oil or read more about how to Proactively deal with stress using essential oils here.
• Check your blood using Live Blood Analysis…there could be more going on
• Sit in front of a full spectrum light bulb for at least 20 minutes a day
• Try some mood boosting foods…Grilled Salmon or Nutrient Dense Smoothie.

What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression and it usually occurs in winter. SAD can affect your mood, sleep, appetite, energy levels, your relationships, work, school, and how you feel about yourself.

The more you understand about seasonal depression, the better equipped you’ll be to manage or even prevent the condition.

Not sure if you have Sad.  See below for a list of common signs of SAD:

• Sleeping too much or interrupted sleep
• Tired all of the time
• Craving sweets and treats
• Weight gain
• Feeling gloomy
• Snapping at your loved ones
• No desire to even socialize
• Stressed about everything
• No desire for physical contact

Bottom line is, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.  You are not alone.  Simple little steps can sometimes help you through this long winter season.

Balance Point can help too.  We have a team who will work with you to figure out the root causes of your imbalance.  You will receive valuable advice and treatment from a team that really cares about your health.

• Live Blood Analysis can tell you about what may be triggering some of your upsets.  Holistic Nutritionists can help you regain your energy and lift your moods using foods, supplementation and lifestyle changes.
• Or read this blog, Feeling Sad and Little Too Often, by Linda Ljucovic, Holistic Nutritionist or schedule a visit.
• Manual Osteopathy can target imbalances in your physical and physiological structure that may be hindering movement.
• Naturopathic Doctors will complement the work your GP’s are doing by providing you with more time and education on what the source of your issues could be.

Call us today to see what makes most sense for you.  You are supposed to feel great so let us help you get there!

Balance Point Health Care Team in Oakille