As we approach Autumn and Winter our body goes through changes leaving many people feeling more tired than normal, listless and perhaps a little lost.

Winter is on its way and in the past our ancestors would, naturally, be gathering wood, stocking up on food and going to bed earlier due to the dark evenings.

Our bodies do undergo seasonal changes, unfortunately most of us can’t change our lives to suit, commuters still have to catch the same train, school children still have to be on time for lessons, supermarkets stay open late to cater for shopper and television is broadcast 24 hours a day.

We don’t give ourselves a chance to adjust to the Autumn/Winter period, we just keep going. Slowly getting lower and lower until, hey presto we get a cold, or worse flu!

SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder) or ‘Winter Depression’ as it it is sometimes referred to is well known about and this is what the NHS website says:

Symptoms of SAD can include:

  • a persistent low mood
  • a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
  • irritability
  • feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
  • feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
  • sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
  • craving carbohydrates and gaining weight

So, what is the point of this newsletter?

Well, listen to what your body is telling you, try and get a few early nights, look at taking a few supplements such as Vitamin C and Zinc, D3 (known as the ‘Sunshine Hormone’) and B (sometimes called the Anti-Stress vitamin) and cut down on the alcohol intake.

A SAD light is known to he too, there are many on the internet or try and get a good dose of natural sunshine whenever you get the chance. Saying that the sun is very low over the winter period and the rays aren’t strong enough (in the UK at least) to give you your daily amount of vitamin D, especially in those over 50 years old.

A good naturopath, homeopath or Health Food shop can guide you on the correct supplements to take, that should help you through the winter, hopefully untouched by the coughs and colds normally associated with this time of year.