Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that happens during the same time each year.
While it can happen at any time of year, it is most often associated with Fall and Winter (
you've heard the term winter blues, right?)
This is due to lack of sunlight which of course results in a Vitamin D deficiency. It's getting darker sooner, which throws off your internal clock, remaining indoors due to cooler or bad weather (hello cabin fever!) and what I call a "lack of an interesting landscape"; in other words everything lacks the color, vibrancy and fragrances of the warmer months.
I'm bringing this up because in the last few days I kept remarking to my husband,
"I feel so tired all the time," and
"I feel like I have no energy," and wanting to eat every carb in sight. Personally, nothing has changed for me to bring this on. I'm very happily married, am passionate about my career, enjoy my sons and so on.
He then brought it to my attention that since the weather has gotten colder, I've been outdoors less; it's getting darker earlier, etc. And then it clicked. During the days of getting my degree in Psychology, I had learned about SAD and recognized the symptoms.
SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL DEPRESSION:
Beginning to feel the same as I am? Here is a SAD check list (as listed by the
MAYO Clinic):
Depression
Hopelessness
Anxiety
Loss of energy
Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or legs
Social withdrawal
Oversleeping
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
Difficulty concentrating
While it is always recommended to talk to your doctor, there are some things you can do to help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder at home.
TIPS TO DEAL WITH SEASONAL DEPRESSION
Hydro Chromotherapy: Light therapy has been used for a while to combat SAD. I love light therapy incorporated with the relaxation of water.
Whereas some hydro chromotherapy systems can be very expensive, there are others that simply involve
LED Showerheads
that are completely affordable. Prices do range from under $10 to upwards of $150. (Plus it may encourage your kids to actually
want to bathe.)
Aromatherapy: The power of scent can be mood altering. You know this the moment you walk into a spa, light a candle in your home or apply your favorite perfume.
Bergamot, frankincense, geranium, chamomile, lavender, marjoram and citrus-derived oils are the most effective for treating SAD. There are some amazing products out there now that add essential oils to your shower head, as well.
Essio uses essential oil pods that attach to your shower head. While you shouldn't attempt to wash your hair while the oils are being dispersed, it's just another great way to lift your mood (and soften your skin in the process!) You can read Gail's
review of Essio for more details!
Sidenote: Try A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash while showering - it's made with
citrus essential oils.
I also love my
aromatherapy diffuser from Gurunanda. I use it during the day to keep me focused and at night to help me sleep soundly.
Exercise: A great way to boost serotonin and dopamine levels is with daily exercise. If you can get outside and enjoy the Fall/Winter landscape, even better, as you take in some Vitamin D in the process.
Vitamin D supplements: I love
Nature Made VitaMelts because they come in delicious flavors. Yum. You can take 1 tablet 4 times per day. And the Vitamin D supplement is great for bone and immune support too.
Phototherapy at the spa: It's obvious, I truly believe that the spa is more than just a place of escape, but a necessity for a more balanced mind. Many spas offer phototherapy and are worth booking a treatment for!
DEPRESSED? CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL
Of course, none of this advice should be supplemented for speaking with your doctor. While I have my degree in Psychology, my tips should never trump that of a doctor. If you feel depressed in a way that is unrelated to the seasonal change, please consult a professional local to you.
Have you ever suffered from SAD? What tips would you offer?
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My scenario may sound familiar to some of you: I work out regularly, and eat a healthy, balanced diet for the most part (there is the occasional burger about once every 2-3 months and a few pieces of candy sprinkled in here and there), but can never seem to get my stomach to get flatter and more toned. When I say I work out regularly, I mean that I work out 5-6 times per week for at least 45 minutes and my workouts consist of cardio in the form of zumba, running or interval training, strength, yoga and various other exercise...so I definitely mix it up. My diet also consists mostly of fresh or steamed, veggies, quinoa and fruits, so the fact that my stomach refuses to cooperate with the rest of my body is just aggravating. I decided to try something else, which led me to purchasing my very first box of the 14 day supply of Tiny Tea Teatox. I follow them on Instagram and am always blow away by some of the before and afters that people have posted after trying their system.
Tiny Tea Teatox is formulated with Chinese medicine herbs and based upon Chinese medicinal principles. It is a cleanse and herbal blend meant to nourish and cleanse the digestive system, providing the support your digestive system needs to replenish and restore it back to its natural state. This cleanse also assists with reducing weight, easing bloating, increasing digestion functionality, improving skin clarity, increasing energy levels and alleviating issues associated with food intolerances. I purchased the 14 - day Teatox and consumed it according to directions, 3 times a day, 30 minutes before or after meals after first letting it soak in a cup of boiling water for 5-7 minutes at a time. I have read a few reviews where people had complaints about the taste of the Teatox, but I had no issues with the taste. I am a tea lover and to me it tastes just like regular tea.
Within the third day of consuming Tiny Tea Teatox, I noticed I had a lot more energy and not the jittery, wired sort of energy. Consuming the Tiny Tea made me more aware of my diet as well. As I mentioned I eat pretty healthy for the most part, but I do get my sugar cravings. After drinking Tiny Tea for a week, my sugar cravings completely went away. I've been off of the tea for almost two weeks now and I still have no sugar cravings; not even on Halloween when baked goods and candies galore were right in front of my face.
I avoided staring in the mirror and looking at my stomach to see if it was less bloated during the Teatox because I wanted to wait until after the two weeks were up to compare my before and after pics. I will say that during the Teatox, few people mentioned how much smaller my waist seemed and more than a couple pair of jeans did fit a bit looser in the waist. The ultimate test was comparing my before and after pics, which I have posted on this blog post so that you can be the judge. While, I realize one pic is a little closer than the other (nobody is perfect to get the exact same angle), I think the definition is clear in the after picture. Whether that is a result of decreased bloating or weight loss (or a combination of both), I am happy with the results.
I experienced absolutely no side effects drinking Tiny Tea Teatox and I am planning on getting the 28 day Tiny Teatox to get me through the holidays without regret and without facing the new year obsessed with undoing the damage overindulging did to my body during the holiday season.
Would love to know if you've tried it yourself!
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