Are You SAD?

Hello Beloved! This week we continue to share what we can to support your successful transition to Fall. So far we've tackled preparatory activities to protect your body from its prone increased vulnerability to illnesses as the weather gets colder. However, there are ways in which the seasons can challenge not only our physical health, but our mental health as well.  This is why we spend the next two week drawing attention to SAD, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder "is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur, but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD." (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml#part_152435).

Its cause is not definitively known, but its occurrence is strongly correlated to one's exposure to sunlight. It is believed that the reduced exposure to sunlight that comes with the colder months can disrupt three major body rhythms: the sleep-wake cycle, the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and serotonin the neurotransmitter, which regulates mood. The effect of these disruptions, producing SAD. (https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad.htm).

What are the Symptoms?

ACT: If you are noticing that you have any combination of the symptoms outlined in the video above, please make an appointment with a medical and or mental health professional. She or he will be able to conduct a series of tests to determine the diagnosis and provide you with guidance re treatments-both self-help and prescribed.  

Lord willing we'll see you next week, when we will share strategies to equip you to float above the heavy cloud of SAD.

Happy temple building!

Take care. Bless many.