SAD..."Tis The Season
Posted by Dr. Siegfried on 2009-12-21 17:46:39
A conversation with a Pharmacist tech the other day confirmed my suspicions for this time of year, in this part of the country. Seasonal Affective Disorder is rampant once again. Depression, feeling down, low energy, not wanting to get out of bed, short-fused emotionally, frustrated, downright unhappy with life, circumstances, people, etc And lots of drugs being taken by people, over the counter and prescriptions. These, in addition to all the others prescribed for back pain, neck pain, headaches, etc.
And, of course, the question is why SAD? Well, in the great northwest, one huge reason is due to the weather at this time of year: rainy, cold, damp, dreary, gray, overcast, and generally miserable to many. Even occasionally to those of us who know how to handle it. All this green and fresh air comes at a price to our bodies and minds so we have to rally ourselves.
Another reasonable question is why and how to handle this and in fact, make it a good time. I’ll tell you at least some things to try. Going to Hawaii or Arizona or some other sunny and warm place may not be possible for most of us. So here are some good practical things to do.
As a student in Heidelberg years during this time of year when it was also like this a lot, I figured out a few things to “stay on top mentally” and physically.
Cliche’s perhaps but nonetheless helpful and true. Proper rest, eat as well as I could, exercise as much as possible---this really stimulates the brain function creating happy chemicals in it--- have not only a positive mental attitude but also a do-er attitude. In other words, keep moving and doing.
Visiting with people I liked, got along with, felt good about, etc. Going to the farmer’s market to get the freshest fruits and veges, meats, eggs, etc I could afford. Prepare them as healthily as possible. Enjoy meal time.
Other activities would be to figure the best time of day to study, work out, always keeping in mind the deadlines of school work. Classical music concerts for cheap tickets, going to the monastery for vespers, walking in the woods. Attending mass and concerts in the massive cathedrals or chamber music at the little chapels or at the castles. These things and more promote happy chemicals in the brain and nervous system to give us a good outlook on life, inspite of the weather. Oh yes, I had my share of the German Pubs and their unbelievable beers. Always in moderation however. Well, not always.
There is something about just stopping everything for a few minutes, for awhile. Some call it praying, meditation, a nap, etc. It is the consistency of this behavior that really helps build our happy chemicals in our brain. It is rejuvenating and helps with our outlook on life. Many religions recommend this daily.
Among monastic communities, they stop and pray or chant several times daily. Like the monks at the Trappist Abbey in Lafayette. It is good for the mind, body and spirit.
If you are at work, I just suggest sitting quietly in your chair or find a quiet place for few minutes with your eyes closed. Afterwards you will be refreshed.
And yes, I was at the beginning of my nutrition learning from a diet, supplement, herbal therapy, homeopathic standpoint. Being in a town/environment like Heidelberg provided a wealth of experience and exposure to really traditional European methods to health. Including my first Heilpractiker treatments. They are very similar to Chiropractor’s.
I guess I just don’t believe it is necessary for people to take all these drugs that are being prescribed and taken over the counter. I will never say they do not have their place. They do. But I have to admit I am tired of seeing so many ads in the news, TV, radio, everywhere on them as if they are the only approach to health problems.
Of course, if this is what people are exposed to most of the time, well guess what? Get a prescription, of course. It’s even paid for. But not for long with this new “health care” plan.
My days lobbying in Salem put me in touch with some very important and influential politicians. The thought was and still is that this whole “health care” package will mean less care, more taxes, less quality of care. Can you say rationed care? Having lived and practiced in a socialized medical environment in Italy it is not far fetched. We’ll see. In the meantime, we need to be doing all we can for ourselves, family and close friends to Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well, Be Well. And I know I can help you with this.
So what are some things you can do to keep your mind fresh, clear and full of “ happy chemicals” during this time of year? By the way, the northwest and also the northeast parts of the country are the heaviest consumers of what are called anti-depressant drugs. But you don’t have to participate if you don’t want to.
We have lots of fresh air here. Make it a point to get out in it. Walking, wherever you like is great. Neighborhood, woods, trails, beach, lanes, wherever you like. The gentle, consistent movement creates happy chemicals for us by providing grade A oxygen to our brains and nervous system.
Can’t go outside? Get a mini trampoline at Big 5. If you are concerned about balance, get one with a handle on it. This activity helps to oxygenate every cell and tissue in your body. All you have to do is bounce gently. Not even leaving the surface. 5-10-15 etc minutes at a time. They are only about $60-$90. Or check the paper, Craig’s list, etc. One patient found a brand new one in the paper for $20 recently.
Gotta go slow though. Case in point: An 86 year old lady got leg cramps after 5 minutes. Between getting her on Ionizable Calcium tablets, adjusting her back and gradually doing more, she is up to 25 minutes at a time at home while watching the news. And she hasn’t treated with me in a few months now. You can look up more on it under Reboundology on the web. NASA spent millions on this little trompoline concept rehabbing their astronauts after returning a mess from weightlessnes in space. This helped them. If it was good for the astronauts, it is good for us earthlings.
The beach if you can get there. Might have to dress warm but a good trade off. The NEGATIVE IONS in the air are great for the production of happy chemicals in our bodies and minds.
Water. Spring water also has lots of good things for our minds and feeling good. My Neurophysiology Professor at Western States Chiropractic College always told us to drink lots of it. It hydrated the brain and nerves, increasing their firing and function. As the nervous system runs every cell and tissue in the body, keeping it fueled prevents stagnation and the buildup of unhappy chemicals.
In fact, he counseled us to drink at least one glass upon arising every morning to “get things going”. I have done this for years. He even counseled us to drink at least one glass or more before tests, athletic activity,etc. You can be sure I did. I needed any edge I could get in those really hard classes.
The problem is what kind of water. Earth2-O and Chrystal Geyser are the best around here in my opinion. And then maybe a water filter at the spigot. I don’t know enough about those to recommend one but I am working on it. I have used several but not happy enough to recommend one.
I cannot say too much about how our diets contribute to all the depression, etc. Kids or adults. Just look at the little guys in school and what they get. Sugar, refined flour products loaded with chemicals, overcooked, not fresh. No wonder there are so many “learning disabilities” and special ed classes.
And the adults? Coffee/caffeine/stimulants to get going, more mid morning, more after lunch. Then evening how to come down while the adrenal glands are toast. Can’t get to sleep, sleep well, wake up fried. Depressed, low-energy, bad attitude? No wonder. But it is not all our fault.
When you have all these monied corporate profit oriented interests providing these so-called foods in our markets, with their marketing ploys to get us to just buy, well “Houston, We Have A Problem”. No wonder people think the anti-depressants are the answer. Well, they are not.
If I could tell you one thing to try from a diet standpoint, it would be to try and cut down on sugar, white flour and pasteurized milk products. My “Dinner and A Movie Program” will be given again soon and you will see why this is so important.
If I could tell you one thing from a supplement standpoint----not vitamins--- it would be to take a bottle of our B Food. Tablets or Powder. These are not vitamins, but whole food concentrates that feed your nervous system to make your body and mind function better. 14 diffwerent raw organic non gmo-d foods loaded with the natural B vitamins we all need so much.Give yourself a few months. Follow the bottle recommendations. See what happens. Most patients are happy. They get empowered and their hope level for better health improves.
It is hard to take too much of it. In fact, over the years I have had parents call me in distress because one of their youngsters got ahold of a bottle and decided to eat half of it and wondered if they should call the ambulance or something. To which I would respond: “ How is the little one doing?” And Mom would say he is playing on the floor with his toys. So I would tell her to just make sure he has enough water in him. He obviously like the supplement and ate them till he had enough. That B Food product has helped him at home with his supposedly ADHD condition a lot, along with his diet and chiropractic care
Mom’s have an instinct as to what is helping their little one’s. And so do adult’s I might add. Just be observant and patient.
I wish you and yours a very HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAYS AND NEW YEAR. Know that I am here to help you. Think happy thoughts.
Dedicated to your health.... The Doctor Is In..
Dr. Siegfried
PS: For more information on B Food just call for our flyer and we will send
it to you.