As humans we are all influenced by the changing season. In the summer months, we are at our most bright and lively. We tend to spend much more time outdoors, walking, playing sports, attending outdoor events and going on holidays. As the winter approaches, the daylight hours slowly shorten and the weather gets colder. Our outdoor activitiy diminishes and we tend to stay indoors as much as possible, trying to escape the winter’s weather chills. It has been proven that the weather impacts our mood through a condition called SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder, this is a condition which is characterized by depression during the winter months. The main cause of this condition is lack of sunlight. Symptoms of SAD includes: fatigue, sadness, sleeping too much, loss of appetite, increase in appetite, increase in weight and decrease in activity. “Winter Blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder is recognized by doctors as a medical condition that affect 2 million people in the UK, and over 12 Million people across Northern Europe. To beat the symptoms of “Winter Blues” make sure you do the following: - Get out and about. Go to the cinema, have a restaurant dinner with friends and family. Go to the theatre, museums, exhibitions or shopping. This will keep your mind occupied. Even if going out is tough to get used to when it's cold out, you will eventually get a taste for it.
- Get your body moving. Swimming, jogging, cycling, salsa classes or yoga can do wonders for your mood. Exercise not only regulates your weight and keeps you healthy, it also relieves stress, helps you let off steam and releases feel good chemicals that helps to improve your mood.
- Sleep. It’s natural to want to sleep more during the winter, but with so much going on we often forget to catch up on proper sleep. Try to sleep 7 to 8 hours at night and try to keep your bedtime and getting up time consistent. Sticking to a routine gives you more energy. Avoid those long weekend lie-ins, they can actually make you feel even more tired.
- Keep a healthy diet. A balanced diet is essential in the winter, as we do tend to turn to food for comfort. Make your meals light and eat as much vegetable soup as you can. Winter blues can make you crave sugary foods and carbohydrates such as chocolate, pasta and bread, but don’t forget to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables too.If you can, why not try a day or two of detox with just fruit and vegetable to purify your body as well as your mind. Take extra vitamins to complement your diet and strengthen your immune system.
- Get some sun. Why not take a winter break to a warmer climate? Sun, sand and palm trees can be a great escape helping you to recharge.
Most importantly, remember to pamper yourself. Don't forget to look after yourself in winter. Take relaxing soaks in a bubble bath, get a facial, manicure and pedicure, or a massage with essential oils. Pampering will make you feel good about yourself and give you a bit of indulgence.
One wonderfully fun and effective method of improving your atmosphere is with essential oils. Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years for stress reduction and as a medicinal method of healing. Even as a stress reliever, aromatherapy is a healing agent that allows the immune system to function better. Aromatherapy is known to stimulate the circulatory, nerve, and the immune system as well as it is a great atmosphere enhancer. If you find it difficult to get up on the winter dark mornings, a shower with essential oils can help to stimulate your body and mind. Citrus based essential oil shower gels and soap are especially sufficient. Using stimulating ingredients such as grapefruit, lemon and orange would help to invigorate anyone from a deep winter slumber. Morning showers will be transformed to a tropical shower under the sky and you will feel energized for the day ahead. Essential oils containing citrus have wonderful properties to cheer ones mood, with its vibrant lemons, grapefruit and oranges, it helps to stimulate both body and mind. It will help you uplift and energized. One particular fragrance perfect for winter is Lavender. Lavender has wonderful ways to keep you feeling great during the cold season. The plant is known to help as a sleeping aid, relieve pain, cure digestive problems as well as it is a good mood up lifter. If you are feeling sluggish or have a cold, Eucalyptus and Peppermint essential oil can help to ease. A couple of drops on a handkerchief will make an excellent stimulating and refreshing tonic. If the dark frosty days take its toll on you, remember to keep active, eat healthy, keep warm and give yourself some pamper with a nice Aromatherapy massage. This will keep the dark frosty mornings or the dreary and long dark nights not seem so long, dark and bad after all.
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