FitSugar

Does the Weather Affect Your Mood?

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Summer may have came late to San Francisco this year, but Sugar HQ is all smiles about it. Lately the office uniform is sundresses and sandals, and we've brought our workouts outside. Look for us running through the park, cycling across the bridge, or catching a few waves at Ocean Beach. And, boy, are we happy!

The weather definitely affects my mood, and when the sun is shining and I'm boosting up my vitamin D, I'm a happy gal. And even though I wish it could be sunny all of the time, I'm pretty OK bundling in a scarf when need be. But with Winter just around the corner, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be a real concern to many of you.

So tell me, sunny days, rainy nights, or snowy afternoons - does the weather hold any power over the smile on your face?

Do You Suffer From Seasonal Affective Disorder?

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:47:15 PST

If you find that your mood starts to drop during the Winter months, you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Often called Winter depression, SAD is a mood disorder brought on by the lack of light due to shorter days. The symptoms of SAD can be quite severe and are in line with major depression, but typically disappear with the arrival of Spring.

If you suffer from SAD, some symptoms you may experience are irritability, a drop in energy level, and weight gain. Treatment includes light therapy, monitored doses of melatonin, or antidepressants.

I definitely get a little bummed when the days get shorter during the Winter, but do not suffer from SAD. I do try and spend as much time as I can outdoors before the sun sets though. How about you?

Summer Sun Provokes Suicide?

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:30:00 PDT

You might think that suicide rates are highest in the dark, gloomy days of Winter, but recent studies found that too much Summer sunlight, like in the northern climes of Sweden and Greenland from April to August, can cause suicidal thoughts as well. Extended Summer days make sleeping difficult, disrupting the body's natural circadian rhythm where darkness triggers sleep. Quantity of sleep is connected to mental health, and continual sleep disturbances are linked to an increase in suicidal risk. Scientists found that in areas where the sun never sets for months, suicide rates increased dramatically, leading them to speculate that the imbalance of light and dark affects serotonin levels in the brain, the chemical linked to mood.

So as Summer approaches and the days become longer, be sure to follow your regular sleeping schedule. As you can see from this study, your physical and mental health depend on it.

Source

Are You Affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:30:00 PST

The change in seasons can add charm to certain places, but some people go through Winter counting down to the arrival of Spring. Even the most delicious cup of creamy hot chocolate won't cheer up somebody affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that onsets with shorter, darker days and is alleviated by the typically warmer months.

Experts think a lack of sunlight is to blame for SAD, which explains the tendency for those affected by SAD to feel a positive change in their overall mood during Spring and Summer. If you have SAD, you may notice symptoms like a lack of energy, increased appetite, daytime sleepiness, and decreased interest in your usual activities.

Source

Beat Those Winter Blues

DearSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:00:00 PST

It's totally normal to be a little depressed in the Winter. It's gray, the sun sets before dinner, and the cold weather can make you never want to leave your house. For some people, Winter can cause a serious condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Symptoms can include feelings of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, social withdrawal, loss of energy, appetite changes, and oversleeping. Here are some ways to help beat the winter blues:

Purchase a sun lamp. Even artificial light can boost your spirit and inspire a sunny disposition.
Open your blinds and curtains to let what little light is outside shine in.
Have a bunch of houseplants or fresh-cut flowers in your home and workspace to remind you of Summer.
Practice yoga in a heated room. It feels great to be able to wear a tank top and sweat in the middle of Winter. Plus all the stretching will increase circulation and create endorphins to enhance your mood.
Find a way to embrace Winter. There are a bunch of different activities that involve snow so see which one appeals to you. You can ice skate, snowshoe, ski, snowboard, cross country ski or go sledding. Instead of pushing away Winter, if you can find a way to enjoy it, you'll be much happier.

Want to see what else might help? Then

If cold weather is your mortal enemy, you can embrace Winter by staying indoors too. Find a hobby that you love, so you won't feel sad, lonely or bored if you're stuck inside. You can knit, quilt, scrapbook, play an instrument, bake, read, write, or do something else you love.
Take a vacation and go somewhere warm. It'll give you something to look forward to and a few days in the sun will make you feel happier.
See a therapist. Talking about your feelings with a professional can be beneficial. They might also recommend going to see a psychiatrist if they think medication might be necessary.

Dear's Advice: Keep in mind that there are only a few months until Spring!

Source

SAD? Tips for Coping

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:30:00 PDT

If you have noticed that your mood and motivation plummets come November and you never seem to bounce back to normal in April, then you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD - a chemical imbalance in the brain brought on by lack of light due to winter's shorter days and typically overcast skies - affects nearly 10-20 percent of all people, the majority of them being women.
Symptoms of SAD are:

A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
Weight gain
A heavy feeling in the arms or legs
A drop in energy level
Fatigue
A tendency to oversleep
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Increased sensitivity to social rejection
Avoidance of social situations

If you feel like you suffer from SAD, there are ways to make it a little more manageable. To find out what they are, just

Get outside as much as you can in the winter, even if it is cold and cloudy
Get at least one hour exposure to natural light each day
At home, keep window coverings open during the day to expose yourself to as much natural light as possible
At work, request to have your desk moved close to or near a window
Talk to you doctor for further treatment options (antidepressants, light therapy, etc.)

Source

Are You SAD in the Summer?

DearSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:00:00 PDT

Summer weather to me is all about being carefree, happy, and surrounded by friends. Since I am a sun worshipper, it's without a doubt my favorite season leaving ample time for hitting the beach, attending BBQ's, and an excuse for reading trashy novels to name a few.

Unfortunately, for some people, summer is NOT about joy and fun at all. Some people suffer from a rare form of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) known as summer depression. It usually begins in late spring or early summer, and goes away by winter. Scientists aren't exactly sure what causes it, but it may be related to changes in the amount of daylight or heat.

Symptoms of summer SAD include:

Trouble Sleeping
Decrease in appetite
Weight loss

About 1% of American adults suffer from summer SAD, and the sufferers are mostly women aged 20-40. It's also more common for people who live at higher altitudes where seasonal changes are more extreme or for people living in hotter climates.

What can people do to combat summer SAD? To find out

Summer depression is most likely triggered by the heat, so doing what you can to keep cool to help manage symptoms. Wearing light clothes, drinking cold drinks, taking cold showers, and staying near air-conditioning could make a world of difference.
The light may also cause symptoms, so getting out of the sun and into the shade, or inside where it's dark may help.
Some sufferers find that the only thing that helps is taking antidepressants.

Dear's advice: If these symptoms sound familiar to you, talk to your doctor about ways you can start feeling better.

Source

DrSugar Schools Us on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

DrSugar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:30:06 PST

DrSugar is in the house! This week she discusses the emotional impact of Winter.

With Winter around the corner (or perhaps rearing its ugly head already), I’m sure that a majority of FitSugar readers are experiencing cooler weather and shorter days. With this in mind, I thought a great topic to discuss this week is seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is cyclical and seasonal, meaning it comes and goes at the same time every year. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have seasonal affective disorder have symptoms that start in the Fall and continue into the Winter months. Less often, people suffer from seasonal affective disorder that causes depression in the Spring into the Summer months. Keep reading to learn more about it.

How to Combat Winter Blahs and Blues

Heather Dale — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:23:08 PST

When January rolls around, the festive fun has come to an end, and we resume our regular day-to-day routines . . . good times, right? This month can be especially difficult for some because the party is over, the temperatures are dropping, and the days are awfully short. If you're experiencing any symptoms that feel like major depression, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that is cyclical and seasonal, meaning that it comes and goes at the same time every year. If you suffer from SAD, symptoms may include irritability, a drop in energy level, and possible weight gain. Various studies have shown that four to six percent of the population has been diagnosed with SAD at some point in their lives, while 10 to 12 percent have shown symptoms related to SAD. Fortunately, there are some easy remedies you can try at home to help get you through the next few months.

Keep reading to see what they are!

Healthy Dose Link Time: Kelly Bensimon's Tips For Healthy Living

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:13:15 PDT

Kelly Bensimon's secrets for staying healthy and happy - Shape
Make Summer last with these healthy farm-fresh dinners - Fitness
Running with asthma? Breathe easier with these tips - Fitbie
Seven moves to work those muscles that stayed still all Summer - Huffington Post
Vanessa Hudgens chooses an eco-friendly yoga mat - Fit Celeb
Every bit counts: 15 minutes of exercise increases life expectancy - Daily Spark
Don't let the end of Summer equal depression - how to fight seasonal affective disorder - Blisstree