Do You Have The Winter Blahs Yet?
Peter Andrew Sacco, Ph.D.
February 06, 2007
It is that time of the year again when many of us are regrouping from the holidays and looking forward to the new year. If you are like me and you love sun, you are already counting down the days until spring. Don’t despair, it will be here in due time!
Many people suffer from S.A.D. which is seasonal affective disorder. People become depressed due to lack of sunlight, being cooped up indoors, being inactive, seeing dark colors and developing a negative outlook. Many people feel very drained and tired when they do not get sunlight each day. As the days become darker and gloomier, people become more restless, fatigued and depressed. The sun supplies us with vitamins naturally and this is also a shock to our systems when we don’t get our doses from our bright, natural source. Many individuals do not like the cold and stay indoors all winter. For many, the only time they go outside is to and from the car or to shovel snow. Staying inside is fine, but we need to breath in fresh air from time to time no matter how cold it gets. Staying in and breathing stagnate air and staring at the same four walls is not good for us. Individuals need to stay active in the winter months as well. We are active all spring, summer and fall and when winter gets here, many just stop physical activities all together. Unfortunately, the only physical activity most of us get is shoveling snow. Many people who shovel snow are not in the best physical shape and they should take it slow, get someone to help them or consider a snow blower. Did you know that shoveling a driveway has been likened to playing a game of tennis as far as physical exertion goes? Tennis is a very demanding sport physically and if not in proper shape, you could cause harm to your body! Take things in moderation. In the winter months, living in the north eastern region of North America brings us three predominant colors most of the time: white, gray and black. Sometime we are lucky enough to get sun, but for the most part, things are usually overcast and gloomy. It seems Christmas lights kind of warm our visual senses, but when they are taken down, we get white, gray and black. As we continue to endure the winter months, some begin to develop a negative outlook and get what some refer to as “cabin fever”. “Will spring ever get here?” they wonder.
What can we do to alleviate the winter blas? Well, perhaps the best thing to do is develop a fitness routine. Even just walking is great. Also, most gyms have treadmills and jogging tracks and this will help both body and mind. When we walk, it relieves a lot of stress and also balances both hemispheres of the brain. This is very good both physical and mental health. Most gyms also have swimming pools and saunas. This is a great place to get your mind off of winter. And for those who like the outdoors or like to brave the cold, there are many outdoor activities planned in the winter months. There is always something to do and when you do it, it makes the cold seem less cold and spring seem not so far away.
Okay now, will someone whisper into Mother Nature’s ear and let her know we get the picture now with the cold temps in the North East! I thought she was suppose to be our “mother” but this Arctic air is making me cry uncle! Fret not. At least the clocks go ahead in March this year. Spring is really, really just around the corner. Don’t lose hope!
Many people suffer from S.A.D. which is seasonal affective disorder. People become depressed due to lack of sunlight, being cooped up indoors, being inactive, seeing dark colors and developing a negative outlook. Many people feel very drained and tired when they do not get sunlight each day. As the days become darker and gloomier, people become more restless, fatigued and depressed. The sun supplies us with vitamins naturally and this is also a shock to our systems when we don’t get our doses from our bright, natural source. Many individuals do not like the cold and stay indoors all winter. For many, the only time they go outside is to and from the car or to shovel snow. Staying inside is fine, but we need to breath in fresh air from time to time no matter how cold it gets. Staying in and breathing stagnate air and staring at the same four walls is not good for us. Individuals need to stay active in the winter months as well. We are active all spring, summer and fall and when winter gets here, many just stop physical activities all together. Unfortunately, the only physical activity most of us get is shoveling snow. Many people who shovel snow are not in the best physical shape and they should take it slow, get someone to help them or consider a snow blower. Did you know that shoveling a driveway has been likened to playing a game of tennis as far as physical exertion goes? Tennis is a very demanding sport physically and if not in proper shape, you could cause harm to your body! Take things in moderation. In the winter months, living in the north eastern region of North America brings us three predominant colors most of the time: white, gray and black. Sometime we are lucky enough to get sun, but for the most part, things are usually overcast and gloomy. It seems Christmas lights kind of warm our visual senses, but when they are taken down, we get white, gray and black. As we continue to endure the winter months, some begin to develop a negative outlook and get what some refer to as “cabin fever”. “Will spring ever get here?” they wonder.
What can we do to alleviate the winter blas? Well, perhaps the best thing to do is develop a fitness routine. Even just walking is great. Also, most gyms have treadmills and jogging tracks and this will help both body and mind. When we walk, it relieves a lot of stress and also balances both hemispheres of the brain. This is very good both physical and mental health. Most gyms also have swimming pools and saunas. This is a great place to get your mind off of winter. And for those who like the outdoors or like to brave the cold, there are many outdoor activities planned in the winter months. There is always something to do and when you do it, it makes the cold seem less cold and spring seem not so far away.
Okay now, will someone whisper into Mother Nature’s ear and let her know we get the picture now with the cold temps in the North East! I thought she was suppose to be our “mother” but this Arctic air is making me cry uncle! Fret not. At least the clocks go ahead in March this year. Spring is really, really just around the corner. Don’t lose hope!