Comments on Overcoming Life's Obstacles: Shorter Fall Days = SAD Symptoms Kick In

tiadavidandourlittlechickens - thanks for your com...

2007-09-22T18:46:07.849+12:00

tiadavidandourlittlechickens - thanks for your comments. Keep looking out for the things that make you smile

nina- thanks for your post. those are interesting findings. thanks for the tip!

I'm so glad you are bringing up the topic before t...

2007-09-21T16:12:00.000+12:00

I'm so glad you are bringing up the topic before the darkest, coldest days are upon us. yes, light therapy can help people a great deal. Another very effective method is to eat a serotonin-boosting diet which capitalizes on the ability of starchy and sweet carbohydrates (like oatmeal and brown sugar) to cause the brain to make serotonin. Increased serotonin translates to improved mood, more mental energy, and reduced cravings that so often accompany SAD. My colleague Judith Wurtman, PhD and her husband Richard Wurtman, MD discovered this phenomenon at MIT. A balanced, wholesome diet is of benefit to everyone but particularly in the setting of SAD (and, incidentally, also for people on antidepressants who have gained weight as a result of their medications - and often antidepressant therapy and SAD go hand in hand), the key is to flip the menu such that the afternoon snack and evening meal focus on carbohydrates such as pasta or rice and protein is eaten earlier in the day. Boost serotonin through food and you will reduce SAD, you may find it easier to lose weight, and certainly you will be eating delicious foods as well.
- Nina Marquis, MD

I have started stocking up on tea early; an aftern...

2007-09-21T03:17:00.000+12:00

I have started stocking up on tea early; an afternoon cup of tea helps me meditate a little and "embrace" the season.

I also look for funny things to keep my spirit light...dot2dothealcareblog.com has funny podcasts though he recently moved to mdpnn.dot2dothealthcareblog to do more medical parody. Since medical issues CAN be quite depressing, I appreciate intelligent humor when I can find it!

Will be sending happy thoughts your way as the sun goes down early today~ you have a great blog.

Hi Anon:Thanks for taking the time to comment. You...

2007-09-20T05:11:53.666+12:00

Hi Anon:

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

You have hit on a small but important way to combat mild SAD symptoms. Treating yourself to something new to keep warm in the winter days ahead is a great idea!

Nancy

I usually react to the first days of fall weather ...

2007-09-19T07:11:00.000+12:00

I usually react to the first days of fall weather with a mix of exhilaration and dread. Exhilaration because the air is clean, refreshing and stunningly blue. Dread because it reminds me that shorter days are on the way.

Although it's in the 80s today, I treated myself to a pair of fleece gloves. At least when cold weather hits, I'll have something new to wear.