SAD and Resolutions

This is the time of year when I notice patients really feeling the effects of SAD here in the Northwest.  It's been several months since the sun has visited regularly, and this cumulative effect manifests for many in either SAD syndrome: less motivation and energy, or  perhaps full blown SAD symptoms: increased sleep, depressed mood, and carbohydrate cravings.

The lack of light to fuel our motivation for change can seem like a cruel trick on us in the NW.  Often we take a kind of lackluster feeling for granted this time of year, along with the associated inability to meet our new goals for change.  

There is so much we can do to restore your enthusiasm and motivation this time of the year.  This is the topic of my Light of Day:  Help for Winter Mood Changes talk that I gave at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center in December, and that I will give again this Wednesday January 14th from 7-8:30 pm at Congregation Neveh Shalom.  It is free of charge, and all are welcome!  Please see our "Events" page, under "Clinic,' for details.

One of my favorite ways to cope this time of the year is with the correct dose of an effective lightbox. In the spirit of keeping business local, Scott Reed, who lives in our community, runs Sunlight Solutions and is a good resource for purchasing these helpful devices: http://www.sunlightsolutions.biz/info.html

Another effective intervention are flower essences, which can boost our mood.  We make custom combinations of these at Insights to Health, based on your particular situation.  Flower essences are incredibly gentle and effective and are part of my individualized treatment plan for almost all my patients.  St. John's Wort oil is another treatment I apply along with energy work for some patients.  

The most important thing is to discover the real reason behind winter mood changes.  That may be related to  pineal, thyroid, adrenal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, or nervous system imbalances, to mention just a few.  I use the above therapies to help patients to feel better while we search for the real cause.

I had a patient tell me last week that my highest value to her lies in my ability to target lifestyle and other interventions that will be most helpful to her, and help her to ignite and nurture the motivation to achieve her goals.  Any Dr. can order a Vitamin D panel or thyroid test.  What I really love is helping patients to act on their own behalf, according to their own goals for change.  My counseling background gives me extra knowledge in this arena, and it is so rewarding to see patients feeling better and enjoying their lives so much more!

I am working on a piece for our January newsletter, to be released this week:  Inspiration vs. Resolution: Inspiring Success for Change.  If you are not on our mailing list, please send us a note via our "Contact" page and we'll be happy to add you!

My best for a warm and inspiring winter,

Dr. Christie Winkelman