Publication: Fifty & Furthermore
Is Winter Making You SAD | |
Subscribe FREE to Fifty & Furthermore by clicking here.
FIFTY & FURTHERMORE - Monday, January 22, 2007
"I'm Dr. Dorree Lynn, founder of FiftyandFurthermore.com.
Growing older can be a time for creative and passionate
living, and I will apply my years as a psychologist to help
you with the challenges and wonders that come with this new
life stage."
------------------------------------------------------------
Hello and welcome to FIFTY & FURTHERMORE!
Today I will share with you an article I wrote about SAD
- Seasonal Affective Disorder, which could be the cause
for your winter blues. If you would like to make a
comment or ask me a question, please email me at the
address below and as always, I will do all I can to
provide you with the advice you seek.
As I always say, "life is too hard to do alone - reach
out!"
Dr. Dorree Lynn, Psychologist
Please send questions and comments to:
email Dr. Lynn
Here on the east coast, it finally feels like true winter
has descended upon us. Gone are the 60 degree temperatures
we've been having and it seems darker, colder days are
approaching. For many of you, winter has already been
leaving its mark for a few months, and you're not alone
if this leaves you feeling a bit "blah." There actually
may be a clinical reason for your winter "slump" called
Seasonal Affective Disorder, and I have written about the
diagnosis and treatment of it in my most recent article on
FiftyandFurthermore.com, which I have pasted below. Please
share your experiences with the winter blues and what has
worked for you.
Feeling Bad? You May Be Suffering from SAD (by Dr.
Dorree Lynn)
Those of us Fifty and Furthermore are especially vulner-
able to being shut in during cold, yucky winter days.
Clouds, ice and snow may not be our best friends. As we
age we tend to be more sensitive to climatic changes. So
much so that I actually worked for several years to help
one client who got depressed every winter - no matter
what else was going on in her life - move to a warmer,
sunnier climate. She smiles through winter now in a way
that is new for her. Although you may not have such a
severe reaction to the winter months, some people really
do. They feel bad because they suffer from SAD.
--------------------------------------------------------
I'm Walking Here....
Here's an item (the Telescopic Walking Stick) that I never
really thought I would use. But I decided to try it out
when we went for a walk along a trail a few weeks ago.
It was fun to use.... yes I said fun. When we would come up
to a stream, I would poke at things in it. I also used it
when I wanted to venture off the beaten path, just to make
sure that there were no snakes in front of me. Believe it or
not, it made the walk more enjoyable. Check it out and the
unbelievable low price.
Normal Price: $19.99
DEAL PRICE: $8.27
Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a little
extra help walking around, the Telescopic Walking Stick is
just what you need. It's fully adjustable to fit your height
and the spring loaded shaft helps reduce strain on your wrists,
back, knees, legs and feet. With a built in compass it will get
you through hard rocky terrain or just across the street.
Make Walking Fun with The Walking Stick
--------------------------------------------------------
Research indicates that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
impacts many people as a result of getting less light in
winter. These winter blahs or blues are real, and although
not all sadness, lethargy or weight gain is due to not
getting enough light, some may be. Researchers have proven
that bright light makes a difference to the brain chemis-
try, although the exact means by which sufferers are
affected is not yet known. As the seasons change, your
mood and behavior can change too. Most people find they
eat and sleep slightly more in winter and dislike the dark
mornings and short days. For some, however, symptoms are
severe enough to disrupt their lives and to cause consider-
able distress. The symptoms tend to start from around
September each year, lasting until April, but are at their
worst in the darkest months. Of course you may simply be
moody or depressed for tons of other reasons, but if you
find that you have a pattern of not doing well in winter,
pay attention to the following:
Symptoms of SAD may include any or all of:
Depression: Feelings of despair/misery; normal tasks
become frustratingly difficult; hopelessness; avoidance
of company; irritability; loss of libido; a sense of
lethargy; life seems hard and you are too tired to cope -
everything is an effort.
Oversleeping: Cannot feel refreshed; cannot get out of
bed; naps in the afternoon.
Overeating: Carbohydrate/other cravings increased, lead-
ing to weight gain
Behavioral problems: Especially noticed in young people.
------------------------------------------------------------
Let Us Help Your Child...
Normal Price: $19.99
OUR PRICE: $2.99
We're very excited and proud to offer 'The Stepping Stones'
DVD series. This series is designed for children 3 to 9
and will help them with their basic math skills. In fact,
it will improve their skills - guaranteed.
A one-of-a-kind DVD collection, The Stepping Stones series
makes learning fun. This DVD series is a MUST. In fact, we
are so committed to getting these DVDs into every child's
hands, we've priced them WELL BELOW retails. You would pay
up to $19.99 for a single DVD of this series, but we've made
them affordable at just $2.99 each. Check them out at:
Stepping Stones DVD Collection
------------------------------------------------------------
Whether or not SAD is the cause for your woes, here are
some helpful hints that may make life go better during
these dark months:
Use a light box. These are used to treat SAD and rely on
a particular kind of light that the sufferer shines on her/
himself for a set amount of time daily. The light boxes
have a positive effect on affect. Even a simple and
inexpensive blue garden light purchased at a garden supply
shop as a grow light or at an artist supply shop as a day-
light bulb may help.
If light boxes aren’t your thing, standard positive daily
prescriptions for health are always useful. Create more
bright lighting into your home. Go for walks getting in
touch with nature. Write in a journal or do something
creative. Read, listen to upbeat or meditative music,
enjoy hobbies, and find reason to laugh (including watch-
ing funny movies). Get up with a purpose, focus, grati-
tude. Eat well and healthily. Drink plenty of water.
Exercise or do yoga or any body discipline that keeps
your blood flowing. And if it’s convenient, keep a pet.
Pets tend to add pleasure for most people and their
demands for attention keep you focused outside yourself.
And for a big blast of sun, if you have time and money,
a trip to warm weather for a break can always be a
boost.
A friend of mine told me that when she lived and worked
in Denmark and Norway for over 20 years, most days were
overcast and by 4:00 PM it was dark. She related that
there were always candles glowing all over the house, in
every room - the best light for body, mind and spirit.
And as always, reach out to others. Isolation breeds
isolation and can make you even SADDER. If you are a
Sage, use your wisdom for others. If you haven't yet
reached those precious years, reach out to someone who
has. And touch someone you love. Caring relationships
and genuine caring touch are about the best healers
around.
So if you happen to live where winter’s light dims your
spirit, take an extra dose of care of yourself and
others. Your may be under the weather – literally.
------------------------------------------------------------
For more insight and advice from Dr. Lynn visit:
fiftyandfurthermore.com
------------------------------------------------------------
GopherCentral's Question of the Week
Topical, timely, controversial, click the link to answer
this week's GopherCentral.com Question of the Week.
Please take a moment to share your opinion, visit:
Question of the Week
------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for recent issues of Fifty & Furthermore? Go to:
Fifty & Furthermore Archives
************************************************************
Want some Fun and Amusements sent by email F-R-E-E? Visit:
Newsletters
************************************************************
END OF Fifty & Furthermore - Another F-R-E-E GopherCentral publication
F-R-E-E Publication
Copyright 2007 by NextEra Media. All rights reserved.
 E-Mail this issue
Subscribe FREE to Fifty & Furthermore by clicking here.
|