LONGEST NIGHT, DARKEST MOOD
I n astronomy, winter
solstice occurs when the
earth is tilted furthest
from the sun. Typically
this occurs around
December 21st in the
northern hemisphere,
and June 21st in the
southern hemisphere.
What makes the winter
solstice so special? It
marks the shortest day
and the longest night of
the year. For many, it brings with it an astronomical illness:
Depression.
Everyone has experienced low mood, a case of the ‘blahs’
or feeling ‘blue’. However, depression is more than that: It
negatively affects how you feel, think, and act.
Depression is diagnosed if you:
1) feel depressed for most of the day, more days than not,
for at least 2 weeks, and
2) have at least 5 of the following symptoms: Diminished
interest/pleasure in activities, unintentional change in weight,
sleep problems, agitation or lethargy, fatigue, feeling guilty
or worthless, trouble concentrating, or recurrent thoughts of
death. In order for it to be diagnosed as depression, these
symptoms must cause impairment in important areas of
daily function.
– By Dr. Wysynski MD
Approximately 30-50% of depressed people will have
thoughts of suicide and about 30% will attempt self-harm.
People over 70 and those 18-25 years old, are especially
at risk.
You don’t have to have depression to experience the winter
blues. Lack of sunshine, longer nights and decreased activity,
among other factors, can contribute to that feeling of cabin
fever. But you don’t have to put a buckshot through your
freezer! Here are 5 simple tips to help you beat the blues:
1) Consider taking vitamin D3 supplements
2) Sit in broad spectrum light for 20 minutes a day
3) Gentle exercise, including sex, can boost your feel-good
brain hormones
4) Hibernate like other mammals: Get plenty of sleep
5) Practice positive affirmations or gratitude journal daily
If someone you know is depressed, having suicidal thoughts
or making a plan, please seek professional medical help
immediately. Hold on to hope: the days get longer by 1
minute each day after the winter solstice. Let’s shed some
light on depression, adopt healthy resilient behaviours, and
outsmart old man winter! •
Dr. Wysynski MD, functional medicine and hormone expert, has
helped patients achieve longevity goals for over 13 years.
She is located in Burlington ON. www.drwizz.com 289 812 2190
MANAGE YOUR LIGHT
L ight plays a big role in how we generally feel, and more so during these
darker winter months: The amount of light we take in during the day will
have a big impact on how we feel and perform, as well as how well we
sleep at night.
Our body’s melatonin levels (the hormone responsible for regulating our
sleep cycle) are more easily thrown out of balance during winter months,
because there is less natural outdoor light, and what little there is, is weaker.
This poor light quality can lead to increased feelings of tiredness
and fatigue, as well as confusion and lack of interest. To remedy this,
neurologists and sleep specialists recommend more time outdoors in
the morning, switching more lights on during daytime, and gradually
turning them off as you approach your regular bedtime schedule. Pair
this up with cooler temperatures as the day progresses, and you’ll be
re-training your body and brain to sleep better at night. •
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An Apple a Day?
A study by Cornell University’s Food
Science and Toxicology Department,
found that eating an apple a day can
really do your body good – but you
have to eat the peel! The apple’s
skin provides the bulk of the fruit’s
anticancer and antioxidant properties,
by as much as 35% more than without
the skin. The antioxidant properties
of one fresh apple equal to 1,500
milligrams of vitamin C.
Is it worthwhile to munch away
at an apple a day?
We certainly think so.