Feeling Blue?
Here at Bowland stoves we all understand how the long winter evenings cause many people feel unhappy and depressed. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common illness which is more apparent in the winter months between September and the end of February. It is a mood disorder in which people who are normally mentally healthy throughout the year begin to have altered state of mind during the dark winter months. It is also known as the winter blues or winter depression.
Symptoms of this consist of a persistant low mood which cause loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities. It may cause irritability, which can lead to feelings of despair and worthlessness. Often, you lack energy and sleep through the day having short cat naps or you may find that you can fall asleep as normal, but find it hard to wake in the morning. You may even find that you are putting on weight as your body craves carbohydrates within your diet.
What causes SAD? Research has found that many people who suffer from this condition have a higher level of melotonin. This is a hormone which is produced in your body and makes you feel sleepy. Others lack a chemical called serotonin. This affects the brain and boosts your mood. If lower levels are present in your body you may suffer from the above symptoms.
Sunlight or light box therapy is a contributing factor to the making of serotonin in your body so wherever possible sit by a window or go out in the fresh air, even if it it is just for half an hour at lunchtime. Light boxes can be useful if there is very little sunlight available. Serotonin needs amino acids to be synthesised in the body so often you crave comfort food like mac and cheese which are full of carbohydrates to enable serotonin to be absorbed by the brain.
So, as you can see, stress levels can be reduced by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet as they all help to increase serotonin levels in the the blood. Here, at Bowland stoves, we have found that putting some of these things into our everyday lifestyle and going home after a busy day at work, sitting in front of a warm cracking wood burning stove and meditating on the dancing flames of the fire enables many of us to switch off, chill out and reduce our stress levels.
If you are finding that you are getting irritable and cannot focus on day to day tasks consult your GP who will undertake an assessment with you. You may be referred for counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). You do not need to suffer in silence there is help out here to make you feel more positive about life.