Winter Blues?

Winter is upon us and many see this season as depressing.  We in California are luckier than

those in  the Northern Climes (I know because I moved down here from Alaska!) because we

get more light.  Everyone, especially those in the North, started gaining light after Winter 

Solstice - December 22.  Seasonal affective disorder, known as SAD, is a mood disorder 

(feelings of sadness & depression) that affects healthy people during  the winter months.  

Did you know that 1 in 10 people in the US take an antidepressant?  That is certainly not the 

solution, with all the associated side effects.  Here are some non-drug methods to fight the 

blues:

- Light: Decreased light exposure decreases serotonin (hormone/neurotransmitter that helps 

regulate mood and emotions) levels. So try to get outdoors into the sunlight as much as you can.

- Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels go hand-in-hand with SAD.  Natural vitamin D production 

is lowest in winter due to decreased sun exposure.  So try to take a daily vitamin D supplement.  

It's a good idea to get a blood test to determine what your levels are before beginning a 

supplementation regimen.

- Movement: Lack of exercise can mimic symptoms of SAD: low energy levels and depression.  

Try to stay as active as possible, inside and outdoors as weather permits.

- Mental Attitude: Choose to embrace the winter!  The weather can be exciting with big 

storms, snow in the mountains brings winter fun skiing, snowboarding etc.  Monster waves 

on the coast. Cozy warm nights by the fire, catch up on reading or work a puzzle. This is truly 

a wonderful season so enjoy! 

- Be a positive energy source: Negative energy attracts negative results.  Keep your own mood 

positive and suppress negative behavior in others.

- Get ADJUSTED!  You knew it was coming, didn't you;)  Studies have shown and increase in 

endorphins - the body's natural uppers, after a chiropractic adjustment.

Great quote on happiness & laughter: “Laughter increases secretion of 

catecholamines & endorphins, which increases oxygenation of the blood, relaxes arteries, 

increases heart rate, decreases BP, which has a positive effect on all cardiovascular & 

respiratory ailments, as well as increases  immune system response.” - Patch Adams

Here is a nice passage about choosing happiness:  I'll be happy when...

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. 

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they 

are.  After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy 

when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse 

gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice 

vacation or when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right NOW!  

If not NOW when?!!  Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself 

and DECIDE to be happy anyway!  Happiness is the way!  So treasure every moment that you have 

and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend 

your time with... and remember that time waits for no one. So STOP waiting!  Until your car or home

is paid off. Until you get a new car or home. Until your kids leave the house. Until you go back to 

school.  Until you finish school.   Until you lose or gain 10 lbs.  Until you get married or 

divorced.  Until you have kids. Until you retire. Until Summer, Spring, Winter or Fall. Until 

you die.  There is no better time than right NOW to be happy!  Happiness is a journey, not a 

destination.  So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt & dance like 

no one's watching!  If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special.

I just did!

Good Deeds

As we go into the commercialized holiday of Valentine's Day, many people's focus turns to romance and love.  We are encouraged to give cards, gifts and flowers to show our love for the people we are closest to.  But when is the last time you did something nice for someone you didn't know, for no reason at all?

 

Performing random acts of kindness has been shown to have immense benefits for the one performing them and of course, for the person being helped.  In the movie "Pay It Forward, a middle school boy has a class assignment where the teacher challenges the students to come up with something that will change the world. The young boy decides to randomly do good deeds for complete strangers and then they would do the same. In these troubled times this is an incredibly refreshing idea.  

 

In the book "The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others", the author Allan Luks, shares some significant findings of his research:

1. Helping others contributes to the maintenance of good health and can diminish the effect of minor and serious psychological and physical diseases and disorders.

2. The rush of euphoria, often referred to as a “helper’s high” after performing a kind act, involves physical sensations and the release of the body’s natural painkillers - the endorphins. The initial rush is followed by a longer period of calm and improved emotional well-being.

3. The health benefits and sense of well-being return for hours or days whenever the helping act is remembered.

4. Stress related health problems improve after performing kind acts. Helping others:

 • Reverses feelings of depression.

 • Supplies social contact.

 • Reduces feelings of hostilityand isolation that can cause stress, overeating, ulcers, etc.

 • Decreases the constriction in the lungs that leads to asthma attacks.

5. Helping can enhance feelings of joyfulness, emotional resilience, and vigor and can reduce an unhealthy sense of isolation.

6. The awareness and intensity of physical pain can decrease.

7. Attitudes such as chronic hostility that negatively arouse and damage the body

are reduced.

8. A sense of self-worth, greater happiness, and optimism is increased, and feelings of helplessness and depression are decreased.

9. When we establish an “affiliative connection” with someone (a relationship of friendship, love, or some sort of positive bonding), we feel emotions that can strengthen the immune system.

10. Caring for strangers leads to immense immune and healing benefits.

11. Regular volunteering, being involved in a club or faith group, and entertaining is the happiness equivalent of getting a college degree, or more than doubling your income.

Refreshing indeed! 

Hopefully this brightens your day.