Monday, January 28, 2019

Don't be SAD. Go find the sun!




SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder – is a type of depression that affects millions of people during the winter months. Lack of sunlight and the resulting lack of Vitamin D lead to this debilitating condition. Here are a few of the symptoms of SAD:
  1. Having low energy
  2. Having trouble sleeping/needing to sleep all the time
  3. Feeling depressed most of the day, every day
  4. Not enjoying activities that you have always enjoyed in the past
  5. Appetite changes


In people suffering from bipolar disorder, SAD can intensify periods of depression. Experts recommend a number of treatments some of which are anti-depressants, light therapy, counseling, Vitamin D supplements, and regular exercise. Another way to deal with the suffocating feeling in winter is to get away to a sunny destination.
Consider a winter vacation to help control SAD or just cope with the “winter blues.” We have all heard so much about the effects of the sun’s warm rays being harmful to the skin, but the right balance can give mood-lifting effects. Sunlight cues special areas in the retina that trigger the release of serotonin. Serotonin helps us feel calm and focused. Sunlight also is known to assist people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease to just name a few.
Traveling is known to relieve stress and boost mental health, and a winter getaway for those who suffer from SAD can be life changing. There are many foreign and domestic destinations that are affordable and have the sun and warmth that will get those serotonin levels up and your mood up with them!
The long-lasting effects of travel far outweigh the costs and time, especially if you are experiencing either SAD or just a case of the “winter blues.” After being away from winter and the routine at home for a week or two, you will return with renewed energy, and a new mental outlook. You can reboot your life with a better attitude. Remember, an unknown author once said, “No one comes back from a journey the way they started it.”. What a great outcome for all of us! #travelforless

Image by Igor Vetushko, used with permission.

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