Your health:
Healthy lifestyle: Winter blues
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| Got the Winter Blues? Not looking forward to the long, cold, dark winter? Lots of people love the cooler temperatures, but find they feel a bit flat, not as energetic, eat a bit more and stay in bed longer during June, July and August. Is this you? What is it all about? Have you turned into a hibernating Grizzly bear? Probably not, but you may be experiencing some physical, emotional and social changes directly related to the change in seasons. The reduced amount of sunlight during the winter months can have an affect on the brain’s chemistry. It can alter the production of a particular hormone, which can cause us to experience some very mild symptoms of depression. The shorter days and colder weather can have an affect on our activity levels. There is not as much daylight to exercise outdoors. During winter many of us may stay huddled under the doona or go to bed a bit earlier than we would in the warmer months. In Summer we are often walking the dog, going for a run, walking on the beach or swimming laps before or after work. Regular exercise can help us feel better about ourselves, manage our weight and help us to sleep better. The shorter and colder days can, for some people, reduce social contact. It may mean less time out in the garden or chatting with neighbours and we often hurry back to the car or home where it’s warmer. Reduced social contact can also have an affect on how we feel about ourselves which can increase some symptoms of depression. Oh no - this all sounds pretty worrying! But it doesn’t need to be. It just means we have to pay a bit more attention to getting out and about in winter. An hours walk in winter sunlight can be very effective in restoring normal brain chemistry. If you usually walk after work, try and walk before work, to work or at lunchtime during the winter months. Regular exercise has physical health benefits - it reduces our stress, helps us sleep better, keeps our weight under control, makes us feel better about ourselves and increases opportunities for social contact. So let’s get walking and stay happier and healthier during winter! As with all matters to do with your health, if you feel symptoms are unmanageable or interfering with your life on a daily basis, you should contact your GP. You can also find more information at www.beyondblue.org.au This Health Hotline was written by Meredith McVey – HKHS Staff Counsellor. |
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