Did you know that our moods can fall with the fall?
There simply isn’t enough sunlight from October through February to get all the sunshine, and therefore vitamin D that we all need. I am speaking about the impossibility of the sun providing enough light for us given the placement of the sun to our specific geographic zip code in northern California. You may live in parts of world where this fact holds true for you too.
This can greatly impact our mood and well-being. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder and it’s a common experience for many people. I was personally affected by this disorder and wondered why every fall I felt moody and not quite right. Some days, I was just plain “meh…” and felt like crawling into bed every afternoon to snuggle under the warm covers for comfort.
The symptoms include some or all of the below:
- A persistent, low mood
- Lack of enjoyment
- Stressful or anxious feelings
- Lack of interest in things you may normally enjoy
- A low libido
Years ago, I was an interior designer and instructor and studied lighting as part of the knowledge I brought to my clients and students.
I learned one way you can help offset the lack of sunlight is to buy full-spectrum lightbulbs and place them in rooms that you spend a lot of time in, like your office, kitchen or family room.
Full spectrum bulbs, or lamps, are designed to emulate the full electromagnetic spectrum of light, which would most commonly be recognized as midday sunlight in terms of its appearance to the human eye.
It helps avoid the low feelings we may experience by not being in sunlight. Full-spectrum light effects the neurotransmitters in your brain, and your hormones. It can help your circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle too. There are many on the market so you can do your research, but here’s a quick link to an example of what to look for, and the one’s I buy.
Mindset Moment:
For our continued good health, it’s important to be aware of our integrated wellness; and that includes our mind, our body and our spirit. Being aware of what to watch for, and tips to be proactive about how you are feeling through the fall, will help you cope and be your best through sometimes challenging times.
In any event, I send you all my love, prayers and best wishes for a wonderful month ahead!
