Those who love the changing leaves and crisper air may look forward to the changing season, but for many of us the change from long sunny days to shorter, darker, and gloomier days means a change in mood as well.
About one in five people in the United States are affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Sometimes called the “winter blues,” SAD is usually seen during the fall and winter, and is related to the lack of daylight and increased darkness that go hand-in-hand with those seasons.
How do you know if you have SAD?
You may feel depressed, tired, and irritable. .
Your eating and sleeping habits may have changed, and you may have difficulty coping with normal situations.
If you notice that your predictably changes around the change of season, you could have SAD.
While there is currently no cure for SAD, there are several ways to treat it.
One common treatment is light therapy.
There are two different kinds of light therapy-one in which you sit in front of or under a special light for a certain amount of time per day, and another in which a low-intensity light is programmed to activate before you wake up, and gradually becomes stronger.
Massage Therapy is another effective way to help treat SAD.
Good circulation can help to improve the function of the central nervous system.
When the central nervous system is operating optimally, brain function also improves.
And optimal brain function is critical in controlling depression.
If you feel like you have a case of the winter blues, make an appointment with us right away.
Not only will you experience a relaxing massage, we can also talk to you about additional treatments and lifestyle choices that may help you kick the winter blues.
