Help For Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)

‘Tis the season for shorter days, less sun and the potential for holiday blues. Some people slide through the winter months with ease while others seem to struggle. Johns Hopkins Medical Institute defines S.A.D. as: Episodes of depression that occur during certain times of the year when there is less sunlight, usually beginning in November and lasting through the winter months.

If you suffer from S.A.D. remember to eat well (avoid/limit sugar and alcohol), stay well hydrated, exercise and move your body regularly, surround yourself with happy, supportive people, do something fun and pleasurable (find a hobby), volunteer and “get outside of yourself”, relax and get adequate sleep! (at least 8-hours each night), seek out a religious, spiritual or philosophical ideology that brings you comfort.

Those are some quick and basic elements for emotional health; then here are seven of my favorite Brain Chemistry Boosting Healthy Discoveries:

1. The Edge Effect: Achieve Total Health and Longevity with the Balanced Brain Advantage – I recommend this book ALL THE TIME! If you or someone you know struggles with addictions, cravings, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, insomnia or binge eating this is the first thing I suggest – hence #1 on today’s list.

Eric Braverman M.D. is based in New York and has done brilliant, practical, cutting edge work in the field of brain chemistry. This book is written for the lay person, but I highly recommend it for healthcare practitioners as well.

Fill out the questionnaire in the first part of the book and determine your dominant and deficient neurotransmitters (dopomaine, serotonin, acetylcholine and GABA). Braverman then offers recommendations to boost neurotransmitters by using diet, hormones, vitamins/supplements, exercise and lifestyle techniques.

I can not recommend this book enough! If you’re struggling with any of the depressive issues above this is one of the best resources available today!

2. Verilux HappyLite Deluxe Sunshine Simulator (light box) “Research is showing that light therapy helps many conditions associated with lack of serotonin: sleep disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, insomnia, eating and binging, chronic pain, etc., as well as SAD. The results have often been dramatic. Bright light therapy is included in therapeutic recommendations of the American Psychiatric Association. Some insurance companies have begun covering it as a medical expense.”

 

 

 

3. SAM-e – (pronounced sammy) “While the use of SAM-e in the body is diverse (it participates in over 35 biochemical processes), the process of interest in depression is the creation of the brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine).

SAM-e slows the breakdown of these brain chemicals, allowing them to work longer. In addition, SAM-e speeds production of the receptors which receive these neurotransmitters.

These functions combine to create increased levels of neurotransmitters, which decreases depressive symptoms. Research confirms that both depressed and non-depressed people who supplement with SAM-e have higher overall levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.”

The positive effects of SAM-e have been impressive and Italy uses SAM-e as the country’s primary antidepressant. SAM-e can be found in any health food, however, always consult with your physician before starting, stopping, or combining any medications!

4. Music- Listen to sounds that invigorate and lift your spirit! Music resonates with everyone differently. Take advantage of the emotional boost that sound brings to your mind and body. Check out Pandora.com – Listen to your favorite songs, artists and genre all day long for FREE!

 

5. Alpha-Stim (CES)– Eric Braverman talks about this in his book, The Edge Effect. This device is approved by the FDA for depression, anxiety and insomnia. I’ve tried the Alpha-Stim and it’s very relaxing! I think this is a very beneficial device for people who suffer from depression and anxiety. The research is extremely promising and sound. The problem is, you can only obtain an Alpha-Stim with a prescription from a medical doctor, and the device itself is not cheap!

While this has been on my list of “Healthy Discoveries” for a long time I haven’t written about it because of the previous two reasons. Nonetheless, it is worth seeking out and investigating. Click here for the Alpha-Stim website and view video clips of Alpha Stim in the news; it’s pretty amazing! (and Alpha-Stim does not pay me to say that).

6. Read Inspirational Books– If you’ve read my blog for awhile you know how much I value reading and books. The Greatest Miracle in the World by Og Mandino, is one of the many influential books in my life. Whenever you feel down, read this book. It will remind you how amazing, precious, and short, life can be.

7. Feng Shui Your Life– I’m not a Feng Shui expert, but I do think there is something to living clutter free, cleaning your space, moving things around and using plants, sounds, light, smells, etc to invoke a better mood.

Remember there’s light at the end of the tunnel, no pun intended 🙂 Three more weeks and the days start to get longer and the sun starts to shine more.

Hang in there. Pick one brain boosting suggestion and stick with it. Little things done consistently can make a big difference!