Spring and Seasonal Depression

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Good Morning!

 

Spring and Seasonal Depression

 

Spring can be a very uneasy time for the human psyche. Patterns of

sleep and energy have a tendency to shift back and forth with

uncertainty. Mood swings from high to low, changes in eating

patterns, fluctuating temperatures outside and the urge to " run away

from it all " add stress to the mind and body and tend to occur when

there are equal parts of both daylight and darkness.

 

In Traditional , Anger is the emotion associated with

Spring, and for good reason. Seasonal studies done at the National

Institute of Mental Health in Maryland have shown, dramatic mood

changes coincide with changes from the darkness of Winter to the

extended light of Spring.

 

Melatonin is a hormone in our body that helps to regulate our moods

and energy. With increased light, melatonin decreases in our body.

Decreased melatonin means higher and lower levels of mood and energy.

Tempers can flare rapidly triggered by rapid mood changes. Faster

changes increase good and bad impulse behavior.

 

We move from hibernation to growth in less than weeks. Increased mood

and energy fluctuation brings with it lust, lethargy and love!

According to the World Health Organization, conception is highest in

April and May. Romance blooms. Energies that have been suppressed for

months have a tendency to now move to the surface, equivalent to the

growth of Spring flowers bursting forth.

 

The end of Winter brings an end to isolation and 'Winter Blues',

brought about by lack of sunlight and cold weather. But, as Spring

comes and wanes into Summer, some people will find their 'blues' or

depression unchanged. Then, even stronger feeling of hopelessness

follow. The US Center for Disease Control found that between 1969 and

1999, suicides were seasonal. Findings showed that feelings of

suicide are above average all Spring and below average in Winter.

This is contrary to beliefs that suicides are the highest during the

Christmas holidays. The British Journal of Psychiatry agrees. They

report that the pre-summer peak in suicides reflect the hope among

the unhappy and lonely who seek change with Spring, but often feel no

different as the Summer draws near.

 

For some people, the transition from Summer into Fall is a difficult

time. Knowing that the warmth of summer is gone, the transition from

hot to cold and from more light to less light can be difficult to let

go of.

 

 

Ways To Boost Your Mood

 

 

1. Listen to Uplifting Music!

 

Music can inspire! Some music is designed to have a positive and

reaffirming effect on emotions and mental clarity. Singing along to a

familiar song or showtune might be all you need. Music is a magical

medium and a very powerful tool. Music can delight all the senses and

inspire every fiber of our being. Music has the power to soothe and

relax, bring us comfort and embracing joy! Music subtly bypasses the

intellectual stimulus in the brain and moves directly to our

subconscious. There is music for every mood and for every occasion.

Music Therapy is incorporated in a number of areas of medicine.

 

 

2. Use Aromatherapy

 

Aromatherapy has been clinically shown to ease stress and improve

moods. Essential oils of plant, fruit, and flower essences are

created to center and enhance the body and mind in order to help us

in preventative measures, as well as, an effective cure for many

illnesses. Scents can induce an amazing power as they influence our

moods. Our sense of smell is the most direct path to our emotions.

This is the principle behind the ancient art of aromatherapy.

 

 

3. Get A Massage

 

Massage Therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety and sadness and to

lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Massage Therapy not only treats

those parts of you which are a problem, but also affects the whole of

your metabolism through normalizing your circulatory, muscular and

nervous systems and their interdependent functioning.

 

 

4. Enjoy Good Fat

 

Hormones that regulate Serotonin, our bodies' main mood-boosting

chemical, are stimulated by fat consumption. Before reaching for a

piece of cake or a cookie, try a piece of salmon. Not all fats are

created equal and you should AVOID saturated fats. Instead, eat foods

containing 'good fats' such as fish, nuts and olive oil. These foods

help with depression and low self esteem by boosting Serotonin.

 

 

5. Get Your Vitamin D

 

Serotonin is affected by Vitamin D. Studies have shown that

consumption Vitamin D makes people feel better. Particularly those

who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

 

 

6. Practice Yoga Therapy

 

Yoga Therapy is the ancient exercise from India, which has been shown

to boost energy, release tension and stress, and help with

depression, anger and fatigue. Practicing yoga is associated with

establishing harmony,equanimity, balance.

 

 

7. Make Humor and Laughter Daily Medicine

 

Laughter reduces muscle tension. This muscle relaxation and the

easing of psychological tension that accompanies it, is the main goal

of pain and stress management. This certainly accounts for the stress-

reducing power of humor. I often have patients say to me, " well how

can I laugh if I'm depressed? " Rediscovering your sense of humor is

the end result of your desire to feel better. It is your willingness

to look for it. This proactive search for humor is the magical

ingredient. The attempted approach to " look for humor in any

situation " is a step in the " light " direction.

 

 

8. Eat Breakfast

 

Studies have shown that eating breakfast is associated with greater

calmness and less stress. It also improves alertness, which can help

your memory and ability to learn. Eating fiber at breakfast is best.

Eating fiber in the morning allows for less emotional distress, more

energy and more mental alertness!

 

 

9. Move!

 

Exercise is the best medicine for anxiety and depression. It not only

keep the body physically and mentally fit but also provides

recreation and mental relaxation. It is nature's best tranquilizer.

Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves

your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and

may elevate your beta-endorphins (mood-affecting brain chemicals).

Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous

system. Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus

reduces the sense of helplessness.

 

 

10. Meditation

 

Meditation works wonders. Every 5 to 10 minutes spent centering

yourself in stillness will have positive effects. Meditation improves

over all well being. Meditation helps us live a healthier, less

stressful life. The physical and psychological benefits are wonderful

and many people meditate only for those reasons. The practice of

meditation helps us temporarily let the physical world go so that we

can begin to see ourselves as we truly are.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/depression.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit