Winter Blues

(Before you read this post, I wish you to understand that depression is a medical condition that requires the attention of a medical professional.  Nothing in my post is a substitute for seeing a professional to treat your depression!!)

The snow cover in my back yard is solid now, here to stay for a few months. Today the weather app on my smartphone tells me wind chills will be in the -25 to -30˚ F range and my five senses tell me not to let the dog stay out there any longer than necessary.  As a coven, we’ve welcomed back the sun and celebrated the certainty of lighter days to come. However, like many people who struggle with depression, there are times when winter is heavy­­­­­­­ enough to pull me down into negative thought patterns. 

What do you do when your motivation is low? When people tell you to think positively and get more exercise, but it’s hard to find the energy to do either?

Here’s a short list of mood-lifters I use:

1. Sunlight.

 Even if I don’t have the get-up-and-go to take a walk outside, I can sit in my favorite morning chair, strategically placed next to an east-facing window, and check Facebook or my email with the sun on my face. The winter sun is weaker, but it still causes your skin to produce a bit of vitamin D. US News and World Report cites many studies that indicate adequate vitamin D helps prevent a whole host of diseases, including depression. I also take a daily multivitamin.

(http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d)

     

                      2.  Citrus oils.

If you are at all into aromatherapy, you probably know about the invigorating effect of lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange oils. Using a diffuser with these oils can reduce stress and lift your mood. Citrus teas may also give benefits for managing depression. I make it a habit to drink Lemon Lift tea in the afternoons during winter. There are also very tasty citrus-flavored vitamin C drops that some people might enjoy.
   
                        3.  Yoga positions that open the heart chakra.

I was not a believer in the depression relief of yoga until a dear friend of mine recommended some specific positions that weren’t very difficult and only took a few minutes each day. I highly recommend going on YouTube and searching “yoga for depression” to find some great mini-routines. My favorite is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI03HqT7OEw.

             4. Valerian.

I try to incorporate Sleepy Time tea with Valerian into my bedtime routine. Valerian has been used for centuries to treat anxiety and depression, as has St. John’s Wort.  Since both can potentially interfere with other medications, I recommend talking to your medical professional before you start taking either regularly.

                         5.  Pets.

Each day I spend any amount of time I can spend rubbing my dog’s ears or petting my cats. Studies (including the one reported on here: http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/05/14/1552.aspx) show that interacting with animals increases the brain’s production of serotonin, a chemical that helps fight depression..

                          6.   Any sort of ritual observance.

Perhaps this theme is evident through my first five points! Over the 30+  years that I’ve dealt with depression, one thing I’ve learned for certain is that routine helps. So, by “ritual observance,” I mean both  A) specifically performing a Wiccan or pagan rite (candle magic, for example is a method of dispelling negative energies: http://sacredwicca.jigsy.com/end-depression-spell -- although I admit I personalize such spells to a great extent) AND  B) making time each day to do specific helpful things, like drinking tea, or touching base with a friend, or creating art, or petting your cat, etc.

   I look forward to hearing what other pagans do to help combat depression, or just to lift the winter blues.

~Blessed Be!~