Feeling gloomy? Don’t despair – there are things you can do and herbs you can take to bring some sunshine into your life.
Editor Jane Garton shares some natural remedies that can help brighten the darker days.
January is meant to be the gloomiest month of the year but sometimes feelings of doom and gloom can drag on. Short, dark, cold days have little to commend them but there is light at the end of the tunnel – spring is just round the corner.
If you are feeling down, you are not alone. As many as nine out of ten of us get a touch of the winter blues, whilst 3% are diagnosed with suffering from the wintertime depression known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
Lack of light is thought to be a major factor in SAD, so spending at least 30 minutes outside every day can be beneficial as can light therapy.
Meanwhile, there are several herbal remedies that can help you feel brighter, whether you are suffering from SAD or an attack of the winter blues.
According to a study carried out last year by Dr Klaus Linde from the Centre of Complementary Medicine Research in Munich the herbal supplement St John’s wort can help to improve mood, In a review of 24 studies he showed that it can be as effective as Prozac in treating depression . It is not known exactly how it works but the thinking is that it boosts and helps to maintain levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin in the brain.
If you are feeling stressed, tired and low in energy, rhodiola may be the herb for you. Like St John’s wort it helps to increase levels of serotonin in the brain, which in turn helps to improve mood and increase feelings of contentment.
PANAX GINSENG
This herb belongs to a group of herbs known as adaptogens, which are thought to help strengthen the adrenals and balance the system generally. Siberian ginseng is especially good for boosting vitality and energy both of which are generally at low levels in SAD sufferers.
HELP YOURSELF
- Go for foods that will make you feel better are good for you. Warming stews and vegetable soups are ideal
- Avoid sugary foods if you can. They may give you an instant lift but it will be followed by a crash
- Essential oils used in a burner or in the bath can really help. Go for sunshine oils such as grapefruit, orange and bergamot. Rosemary, basil and peppermint also have up uplifting properties.
- Join a support group. Sharing experiences with like-minded people can be very helpful
- Consider a holiday in the sun; sunshine increases the feel-good hormone serotonin
