Winter blues halts tantra techniques
Well I had intended to write further about the love and tantra workshops run by a beautiful couple I met a few weeks ago ( Joginder and Marketta ) but that will have to wait as I have been surprised by the number of people I know who are complaining about how the dark evenings, shorter days, changes in weather and lack of daylight is affecting their mood. So the love blog will have to wait till next week; as in true tantra fashion - delayed gratification is so much more satisfying!
I was surprised to learn that one person in 50 in the UK suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) commonly known as winter depression. Most of us may feel the low mood as less light reaches the brain but those with the actual disorder may experience the following symptoms:
* lethargy,fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine
* over-eating - craving carbohydrates and sweet foods, weight gain and sluggishness
* depression - misery, loss of self esteem, hopelessness, despair, apathy, loss of feeling, guilt
* anxiety and panic feelings
* loss of libido and avoiding physical contact
* social problems - avoiding contact with others, irritability
* sleep problems - over sleeping, difficulty staying awake, early waking and sleep disturbances
The causes are not fully understood but lack of exposure to day light appears to be the root cause leading to all manner of biochemical imbalances.
The sleep-wake cycle is affected th rough an increase in the hormone melatonin, altering the mood by lowering serotonin levels.
SAD is known to affect people from September to April and symptoms worsening in December to February but most report their symptoms disappearing in the Spring.
This disorder appears common in the Northern and Southern hémisphères and is extremely rare with those living closer to the Equator where day light hours are long, constant and bright.
Light therapy has been proven to help in 85% of cases. Sitting in front of a special light box giving out 10,000 lux, for as little as 30 minutes a day can reverse the symptoms within two weeks
Those living in the city, who are surrounded by tall buildings, who go to work early and in the dark and then return home in the dark are more at risk. In these situation where normal exposure to outdoor light is not possible a small light box that sits by the computer can boost the mood.
Those who find it hard to manage the recommended 30 - 60 minutes a day in front of the light box can opt for a 'dawn simulator, which sits next to your alarm clock and simulâtes a natural sunrise.
Even on a dull day try and go for a walk
Counselling is known to help to accept the disorder and create strategies to help manage the symptoms
Those with severe symptoms occuring every year may need medical treatment
www.sada.org.uk
Light boxes from:
www.lumie.com
www.healthyhouse.co.uk
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Manjit Ubhi - Established life coach in the Midlands
SAD is something that has been documented for a very long time and not everyone understands the effects it may have on people during the winter. As far as I know, women have a higher percentage of getting SAD.
I actually work from 8-5, M-F, so I see the changes throughout my day and I do sometimes feel a bit of the 'blues'. The way I fought SAD, was that I always had friends around me everyday since we live in a huge apartment. This really helped me not feel the effects as much. Also, I turn on my BlueMax Desk Lamp from Full Spectrum Solutions (www.fullspectrumsolutions.com) everyday, which is made to bring the sunshine indoors. It's also 10,000 lux, so it helps combat SAD and brightens my office.
That's my two cents!