The holidays have come and gone leaving colder temperatures and snowy roads . . . it’s winter time in New England. While technically the days are getting longer, this is really the heart of the winter season and it can feel like it may never end. If you find yourself feeling any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from the “winter blues,” or if symptoms are severe, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Loss of energy
- Heavy, laden feeling in legs and arms
- Social withdrawal
- Oversleeping
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Appetite changes, especially craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Difficulty concentrating.*
SAD may affect up to 20 percent of the US population at any given time, so you are not alone. If you are interested in a simple and natural way to help with SAD, acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can help support a healthier lifestyle. SAD in Chinese Medicine is often viewed as a stagnation of Liver Qi. Since the Liver is in charge of the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, when the Qi stagnates the whole body is affected leading to many of the above symptoms. Over time, stagnate Liver Qi can start to affect other organs, most especially the Spleen, Heart, and Kidneys.† Your own personal constitution will determine how this stagnation can affect you. Come in and I will make your unique diagnosis and start helping you to feel more vibrant and healthy again. There are also many home remedies you can do right now to get you Qi moving and feeling better:
- Get more light: make sure you take advantage of the limited light we have during the winter. Sit near windows, get outside as often as possible, and if your case is more severe, consider using a light box.
- Get Moving: moving your body moves your Qi and helps to remove stagnation. Even a simple 20 minute walk a day can get your Qi moving. So, block out a few minutes a day for your health and start to move. If you just can’t stand the cold, look into acquiring an exercise video. Your local library is a great place to check out videos; experiment until you find the one that you like and use it.
- Foods to add: eat more warming and spicy foods. Ginger, garlic, and black pepper are all good at moving your Qi, and they also make food more delicious!
- Foods to avoid: limit your intake of dairy, sugar, and simple carbohydrates. These foods can all be taxing on the Spleen, leading to Dampness and more stagnation in the body.
- LAUGH: watch a funny movie, do an activity that you love, talk to and have a good laugh with friends. Laughter gets the Qi moving . . . it’s really the best medicine!
- Get meaningful sleep: A good night’s sleep helps your body to restore. Here are some great tips for ensuring meaningful sleep.
- Stay connected: Reach out to friends and family and let them know how you are feeling. They care about you and will want to help, but you just have to let them know. If you don’t have a close friend or family in your life right now, consider contacting a therapist or a counselor.
- Chinese Medicine: check in with your acupuncturist and see how she can help to get your Liver Qi moving.
Don’t suffer through another New England winter. Make that first step and see how acupuncture can help to fight those dreadful winter blues.
† Maciocia, Giovanni. The Psych in Chinese Medicine. 2009, Churchill Livingstone Elesevier.