Q. Winter can be difficult for me. Do you have any ideas about how to ease the seasonal blues?
A.Just one fresh rose in a room can help ease winter’s chill, according to Colorado bodyworker and aromatherapist Mary Kathleen Rose. “In the winter, when there’s less light, there’s a tendency for people to get a little depressed. One way to alleviate these “blues” is by integrating fresh flowers into your home. A couple of flowers or a stargazer lily in a bowl can make a difference. That ongoing connection with nature helps give us a feeling of hope for the spring.
“In the winter, I really like the infused oils that have an evergreen scent. An evergreen infused in a light olive oil reminds us that there are things that stay green throughout the winter and carry us through the season. Beeswax candles also give off a really nice scent — very soft. Just their mellowness is comforting.
“Remember that enjoying a massage in a nice atmosphere during the winter allows us to really appreciate this as a time of rest. As nature is at rest, so should we be.”
More tips:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects millions of people all over the world every single year. Are you one of them?
Although researchers have discovered many linkages between environmental and physical factors, winter and depression, SAD is still a complex phenomenon that has more than one single cause. Here are the top four causes of depression in the winter — and what you can do about them.
- Decreased sunlight. Sunlight stimulates the superchiasmatic nucleus in the brain, which in turn regulates our Circadian rhythms of sleeping and waking, including production of the “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin. Make sure you get enough sunlight during the short winter days. If you can, spend at least 15 minutes outside everyday to make sure you’re soaking up enough of this valuable natural health aid.
- Breathing stale and impure air. More and more studies are beginning to show that there’s a link between the air we breathe and the number of physical, mental and emotional ailments. Toxins, molds, pollens, and chemicals in our everyday home and office environments can create depressed emotional states. A solution for this is to purchase a large room air purifier for your living room or for your open plan corporate office. You can also purchase a smaller unit for your bedroom, as you’re bound to spend nearly 1/3 of your life sleeping in there. You can find personal air purifier reviews online to help you figure out which device suits you best.
- Sedentary life. Who wants to go jogging in the dark? Not me! Most of us would rather spend our long winter evenings curled up with a good novel, watching movies with our sweethearts, or relaxing in the bathtub. Unfortunately, what this means is that we tend to slack off on our exercise regiments during the season. Exercise has been clinically shown to have the mitigating effect on winter depression, so don’t forget to get out there and get your daily dose of motion. Even a few minutes of walking is better than nothing. Take the stairs and walk whenever you can, and hit the gym after work if the thought of exercising outside in the dark is too much to handle.
- Decreased vitamin D. Research has shown that decreased levels of vitamin D are linked to SAD. If you’re not getting enough sunlight each day (in the winter, most of us are not) you can purchase an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement at any health store or most major chain grocery stores. Follow the directions on the label to make sure you’re getting the right dose.
These tips, along with regular massage therapy, help ensure a stress-free, healthy and balanced lifestyle as well as greater happiness throughout winter.
(Sources: ZME Science, massagetherapy.com)
