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Beating Winter Blues:
how to survive the shorter, darker days
In Anchorage, Alaska on December 31, 2007, the sun rose at 10:14 am, and the sun set at 3:49 pm – allowing
for just over five and a half hours of daylight. While those of us in more southern regions benefi t from nine to
ten hours of daylight in the winter months, we still crave the longer days of summer. During the shorter days
of winter, sometimes its hard to get out of bed every morning before the sun comes up. And we often wish
we could have just a few more hours of daylight after work so we could participate in outdoor activities or even
complete chores. The darker days may leave us feeling like wed rather stay in bed than stay healthy. In fact,
sometimes the winter blues go beyond just wishing for sunshine.
Due to unstable levels of melatonin (the sleep
hormone) and serotonin (the energy hormone), some people experience symptoms such as lethargy, trouble
concentrating, cravings for sweets and carbohydrates, and changes in mood and energy level. Luckily, there are
several ways to combat these hormone fl uctuations that will keep the winter blues at bay.
eXercise:
Aerobic exercise specifically targets winter blues because it has
been proven to increase serotonin levels. Completing just one
hour of exercise outdoors, whether it is snowshoeing, skiing,
sledding, walking, running, or biking, can have the effect of
spending 2.5 hours in light treatment. So bundle up, and take
the exercise outside to boost your mood and your exposure
to the suns light, even on cloudy days. Exercise can reduce
stress, improve mood, and it can decrease feelings of depression
brought on by winters shorter days.
Nutrition
Next time you have an urge to eat
something sweet, salty, or starchy, stop
and think about your mood. Simple
carbohydrates and sugars create a
chemical reaction in the brain that
releases serotonin, the feel-good energy
hormone; therefore our bodies are
often trained to use sweets as a means
to release that hormone. That means
we often have cravings that are related to our brains, and NOT
to our stomachs. Although we get an instant rush from eating
these foods, overloading on sweets causes the adverse reaction
of spiked blood sugar, and can lead to a signifi cant crash after
blood sugar drops.
If you experience winter cravings, first wait
for a few minutes to determine if the craving is related to your
mood. If the craving is mood-based, choose an activity that
will brighten your disposition such as meditation, stretching, or
a walk around the block. If you find that you are truly hungry,
eat a small snack that includes a healthy protein and a complex
carbohydrate, such as a cheese stick and an apple, or celery
and peanut butter. These combinations will prevent the blood
sugar spike.
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Treat yourSelf
Winter can be hard on the
bodys chemistry, but it
can also be hard on morale. Forever Living makes two products that off the perfect
winter pick-me-up.
Forever Fizz
 is a mango flavored energy tablet that easily dissolves into water. This burst of
flavor and refreshing fizz is a great way to add a little summer
to your winter days! If its cold outside, you might prefer
aloe
blossom herbal tea
 The caffeine-free
formula mixes soothing flavors such as cloves, orange peel, and
cinnamon, and offers a low-calorie treat that will turn your low
energy afternoon around. But dont forget to
treat the outside of your body as well!
Aloe
Heat Lotion
 is designed to help
give a soothing, relaxing massage. It will help
you forget the weather outside as you soothe
away stress and strain.
And Forever
aloe lips
 combines natural
ingredients such as aloe, jojoba, and beeswax
to result in a super moisturizing formula that
can help combat the ef ects of winters wear
and tear.
The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not
intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent a specific disease or class of diseases. You should
consult your family physician if you are experiencing a medical problem. |
