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RISING WOMEN EXPERT ADVICE...
How can someone who is affected by light change help themselves to
overcome Seasonal Affective
Disorder (S.A.D.)?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), also known as emothianl winter, is a
mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most
of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter due to the light
change. Everyone is affected by light change. Low levels of light decrease
serotonin levels because the pineal gland needs light to produce these
hormones. Eating sugary foods between Halloween and New Years is an
“unhealthy” way to increase serotonin. This sugar allows L-Tryptophan to be
more easily converted to serotonin which is why people crave carbs when the
serotonin gets really low.
One way to treat S.A.D. is by using a full-spectrum light in the morning to
help regulate your pineal gland. Another way is to cleanse spring and fall.
It is said that the eyes are the “window to the soul”. These “windows” allow
light into the brain where the pineal gland is. Often these “windows” need
cleaning because our livers become easily toxic. If you cleanse the liver
regularly, these “windows” become clean and are able to let light in. And by
cleansing yourself you will digest better and have more energy.
Another way to treat S.A.D. is by exercising. Everyone knows cardio exercise
increases the “happy hormones” like serotonin. It also releases stress. It
is equally important for really “stressed out” people to do exercises such
as yoga. These regimes release stress from a “contracted” poor posture and
lets you digest and eliminate effectively.
Make sure that you get out in the sun every day. For a short period don’t
where sunglasses or sunscreen and try to have your head, face and arms
bare...more difficult when it is colder, but do it as much as possible. This
keeps your Vitamin D up which will help you fight off S.A.D. In fact,
supplementing with Vitamin D, up to at least 5,000 IU per day or more can
also be effective.
In suicidal cases, St. John’s Wort will open your “crown” chakra on the top
of your head to better get light into the pineal. Combine with a pineal
glandular for better effectiveness.
Food wise, eat high quality proteins that are not “overcooked” and as many
raw vegetables or sprouts as your body will let you. This will keep your
liver happy and your “windows” will just need a little cleaning in the
spring. Have a HAPPY FALL & WINTER!
For more advice on S.A.D, contact Monica Hirai, owner of Hirai Health
Services at 403.276.5756 or visit her at
www.hiraihealth.com
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