Humans are mammals.  Many mammal species “hibernate” for the winter.   This means that everything in the body slows down to conserve energy to get through until spring.   In nature, this is seen in bears, bats, raccoons and many others.   Ancient man did the same.   They would gather food and fatten up all summer and then they would hole up in a lodge, cave, or earth dwelling to survive the winter, only going out if they absolutely had to for survival.   There, they did a lot of sleeping.   Although it is fiction, Jane Auel’s books, Clan of the Cave Bear and the rest of her “Children of the Earth” series, depict some of this winter activity of our pre-historic relatives.   In our culture, we often do the opposite of nature.   We slim down in the summer because we are more active and fatten up in the winter.   And instead of listening to our body, we push on through, working and taking care of life, often not getting enough sleep.

 

As a result of the natural, genetic, biological cycles, many of us begin to feel the slow down by January or February.   The Psychiatrists and scientists have named this Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Seasonal Depression.   This simply means some people get a “little nuts” by mid winter.   The big boys want us to take medications like Prozac and Paxil, and sometimes that is necessary.

 

But, there are many other things to do first.   At least eight hours of sleep per day, sometimes more, are needed in the winter (dusk to dawn is what our ancestors did, for us 10pm to 6am is ideal).   You must get some sunshine.   Actual sunshine is the best.   Even a week spent in the sunny south in February can totally recharge our sunlight battery, so things do not look so bleak.  Sunshine penetrates the skull and stimulates the pineal gland in the brain.   This increases the production of melatonin which is one of the serotonin neurotransmitters.   If you cannot go south, sit with your head in the sun whenever we do get a sunny day.   In the absence of sunshine, tanning may help, as long as you do not burn and peel.    One can also buy a full spectrum lamp or install full spectrum fluorescent tubes in your work area to simulate sunlight.    If you do get a lamp, place it directly over your head, and sit under it for two to four hours per day.

 

Supplements like 5 HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophane [this is what is in turkey that makes some people sleepy]) can be very useful.   Taken at bedtime it helps improve sleep.   It is converted into serotonin, the mood elevator.   For some, St. John’s Wort is quite good for dealing with the Winter Blues. Vitamin D3 is highly beneficial.    Most of us are deficient in Vitamin D and supplementation with 4000-6000 mg per day is recommended if you do not get any sunshine.  Homeopathic Aurum Mur. Nat. 12C or 30C, one pellet once or twice per day has been a great help for many.

 

Exercise is highly important to balance the chemistry and remove sluggish waste products from the body.   Do something fun!   Find a fun winter activity that will balance out the blues.   Make your own sunshine.

 

Create a Plan Now to prevent the Blues this winter.

 

Put Your Health in Your Own Hands.