Thursday 29 October 2015

Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Say goodbye to winter blues...

It's colder. It's darker. And that's just no fun. If you feel your happiness wane in the winter, you might suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but it doesn't have to be that way. Here's how to banish those winter blues:

Work out in the morning When it's dark outside in the evening our bodies think its night and become tired, which is why it's so difficult to get to the gym after a day at the office. Beat your body clock by getting up earlier and hitting the gym before work - you'll also have more energy throughout the day.

Stay Hydrated Be mindful to drink water despite the cooler temps. Even if you're not sweating as much as you would be in the summer, you can still become dehydrated. Perspiration isn't the only way to lose body fluids. Huffing and puffing can cause loss of body fluids as well since we lose water and electrolytes through our breath.

Go for a weekend hike It’s still important to get fresh air, so wrap up warm and head out for a long walk with your family or friends. The countryside is beautiful in autumn, and you might be lucky enough to catch a healthy dose of vitamin D from a late burst of sunshine.

Limit bluelight on your devices The short days and long nights can leave us a bit out of sync and looking at screens late at night can further disturb our circadian rhythms, making it hard to get a good night's sleep. Downloading apps that limit bluelight from you devices can help combat this. Try flux for your computer or twilight for your phone. They give your screen an orangey glow that won't trick your body into thinking it's daytime! Getting a full night's sleep will help you feel fresh and full of energy to workout.

Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables When produce is grown in its proper season, under the appropriate growing conditions, it exhibits all of its natural nutrients, making eating healthy a cinch. Studies have shown that some crops can have up to three times more nutrients when grown in season. Seasonal fruits and vegetables don't have to endure as much travel, so they don't lose those vital nutrients.

Drink Tea Drink more tea to warm up for the cooler temperatures. Green tea and black tea contain antioxidants that help ward off diseases during flu season so you can remain healthy and active as the season shifts. 

Tips are provided by Ballet and Pilate instructor, Denise The, from Slice Live. www.slicelive.com.

Article Health & Fitness Oct 29, 2015 via Featured Articles Read This... Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/1MkZj98

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