Let The Sun Shine!

Hello sunshine! Goodbye dreary sky!

Thank goodness the sun decided to show itself today!  I was really starting to wonder if it would ever come out again.  I don’t know about you, but I feel depleted and down when I don’t have sunshine for extended periods of time.  I feel more anxious, irritable and just…blah.

I had just read that in the winter when it’s gray and dreary, it’s hard for our bodies to make enough serotonin, thus affecting our moods and our sleep habits.  That makes complete sense with my sleep habits and moods lately.  I’m telling you, my sleep schedule is so off, I’m lucky if  I get 3-4 hours of sleep a night – broken up!  I’m exhausted!

So, what are we supposed to do if we aren’t blessed enough to live in a tropical climate where the sun seems to shine year-round?  Well, you could try one of those light boxes that provides enough bright sunlight wavelengths and even a full-spectrum light bulb is supposed to help.  You just keep it beside you so that you can see it out of the corner of your eye while you’re reading.  1,000 units of Vitamin D supplements are another good option.  Most Multiple Vitamins have Vitamin D in them, so check to see how much you need to supplement with if you’re taking one.

All of these are great simple and easy ways to trick your body into thinking it’s getting real sunshine to help it relax and get back on schedule.  I’m really going to try each of the tips above to see if they help.  I’ve drank all the chamomile tea I can handle!

Are you finding yourself down and having bouts of insomnia this time of year?  What do you do to combat it?

Tagged as: natural light, SAD, sun, winters