5 Natural Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

The days are getting shorter. Fall has arrived in all its resplendent beauty. While the changing colors are lovely, insufficient daylight may find you down in the dumps and more tired than usual.

The world-renowned Mayo Clinic estimates that ten to twenty percent (and maybe more) of the population suffers from some sort of seasonal depression brought on by shorter days. Some estimates indicate there are millions of North Americans who suffer from a more extreme version of “winter blues” called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

At this stage of the research, the disorder seems to be related to insufficient light and the resulting hormonal disruptions caused by the pineal gland. When the pineal gland believes it is in darkness, it secretes a hormone called melatonin, which has sedative properties.There are numerous symptoms of the winter blues, but the main ones usually appear in the colder season and include:

• Change in appetite, particularly for sweet or starchy foods.
• Weight gain.
• Change in sleep patterns.
• Tendency to oversleep.
• Avoidance of social situations.
• Decreased ability to concentrate.
• Irritability.
• Decreased energy.

Whether it is full-blown SAD or a milder case of the seasonal blues, here are tips to help bring some “light” back into your days.

1 of 2

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Elisabeth T.

4:50AM PST on Jan 4, 2013

Thanks for this great info..

January 4
send a green star

Duane B.

11:25AM PST on Jan 3, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

January 3
send a green star

Bob P.

9:37AM PST on Jan 3, 2013

thanks

Dolly Navina L.

3:52AM PST on Jan 3, 2013

Thank You!

Joe R.

3:56PM PDT on Jul 27, 2012

Thanks.

July 27
send a green star

Elizabeth B.

5:03AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

thank you

September 13
send a green star

Ladyfrog L.

1:21PM PST on Feb 4, 2011

great advice especially about the vitamin b part, helped me tremendously!! winter's not my best season either, but i do try to get out alot, many days its a struggle, but call and get a partner if that helps!!!

February 4
send a green star

Trish K.

4:51PM PST on Jan 23, 2011

I try to hit the sunshine everyday, but winter is not my best season as far as energy levels go.
I hibernate.

January 23
send a green star

Toni B.

5:40AM PST on Dec 31, 2010

Appreciate the article. I would have to try those tips.

December 31
send a green star

Charles W.

6:11AM PST on Dec 7, 2010

I can't believe you endorse CFLs complete with mercury. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if these wimpy lights aren't contributing, but they are being encouraged to "save the planet" that doesn't need saving, since the planet has survived worse than what's happening today. I won't let the cancer-causing pieces of crap into my house.