Health & Well Being

Don't Be SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder 'SAD', can rear it's ugly head with many symptoms. Most people experience them, during the winter months when we have less exposure to sunlight. Some signs of SAD are, mood swings, sluggishness or exhaustion, lack of interest, and weight gain.

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the body. One of it's roles, is to help regulate sleep. The amount produced depends on how much light we get in the course of a day. When it's dark, we naturally produce more Melatonin to induce sleep.
With the decrease of light in the winter, our bodies maintain a higher level of melatonin throughout the day, which is why many of us feel tired, and get moody during winter days. Our bodies think we should be sleeping!

Some of us are affected more than others. Some ways you can help yourself through this period is to make sure you drink plenty of water, exercise, and watch your diet. Cutting down on, sugar, refined carbs, and high fat foods, is a great start. Eating more Low GI Foods,  is an interesting approach to managing your moods, energy levels, and weight control.

Getting out into the light slows our body's production of Melatonin. Walk, take in the fresh air, and, leave your sunglasses off to get as much light through as possible.

Serotonin is another hormone produced by the body. Widely known as the 'feel-good' hormone, or, the body's self made tranquilizer. The more your body produces, the more relief you can get from your symptoms of SAD.
By testing saliva, Medical research has shown a rise in serotonin levels in individuals after Massage, therefore, lowering stress, and leaving you with that feel-good feeling!

Along with diet and exercise, relaxation, and rejuvenation are key to getting your body, mind and soul out of the SADness doldrums of the Winter months.


Laughter and Music May Lower Blood Pressure

The social network seems to bring out the best and worst in people. It spans all ages, lifestyles, walks-of-life, inner and outer space. Everyday, we talk to, read about, and see, the effects of the melting pot of life, in, and on, eachother. It has become another stream of information, that we need to monitor our children, our depressed, our violated, undecided, addicted, and so impressionable chunk of the population from. Those are the feelings of some.

But what about the lonely, disabled, housebound, savvy senior population, who come to life, stay sharp, and pleasantly socialized, because we can tweet, and facebook, any time of the day or night.

Like any new 'invention' the socail network is a double-edged sword. In the wrong hands, or in a moment of boasting or social intoxication, we can cause grief, or pain, because of an unclear moment in time.

Not all relaxation techniques involve actual touch. We are moved by the sounds of music, and laughter. Researchers have studied the effects these arts have on people with high blood pressure, and noted the results.

"Laughter and music not only lift the mood, they might also drop blood pressure among middle-aged adults, a new study suggests..." Laughter, Music May Lower Blood Pressure, Study Says - US News and World Report

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