Four Tips to Lift the Winter Blues

If the shorter days and longer nights of winter have stolen the spring in your step and sparkle in your eye, you're not along. In fact, as many as 12 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and up to 35 million Americans have a milder version of the disorder. Woman are more likely than men to suffer from SAD.

It zaps energy, leaving sufferers less productive. SAD also induces carbohydrate cravings, which results in packing on a few, unwanted pounds during the colder months.

AlternativeMedicine.com suggests making the following healthful changes to rebound from the winter blues:

• Start your day with a high-protein breakfast and end it with a whole grain-rich dinner. This combination will help balance mood-regulating hormones.
• Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by adding cold water fish or flaxseeds to your diet.
• Try light therapy. Research has shown that exposure to light is an effective treatment for winter depression. Light therapy is administered by a 10,000-lux light box. It mimics outdoor light and causes a biochemical change in the brain to lift the mood.
• Get outside and exercise as much as possible. The outdoor light and activity will help boost serotonin levels.

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