Planets in Retrograde -- The Basics
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Saturn in Transit: Boundaries of Mind, Body, and Soul
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	Light Up Your Life Seasonal Affective Disorder Part 1 by Dave Turo-Shields Overcoming Depression
Astrology, Tarot, and Self Improvement for the New Age.

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Light Up Your Life
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Part 1
by Dave Turo-Shields

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Ah yes, the you can just now begin to feel the cold bite in the air during the mornings and evenings. Soon the leaves will turn all sorts of brilliant colors. The autumn season is on it's way. I love the fall. It's my favorite season of the year.

Unfortunately, for many who suffer from a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the dread of the upcoming change in seasons is growing.

I am writing this late summer article for those of you who struggle with seasonal depression, or have wondered if you might. I am writing now, before the onset of the fall season, because I want for you to be proactive before this problem gains a foothold in your life.

The research is unclear about the average percentage of the population that suffers from seasonal affective disorder. There has been substantial studies of those with depression, bipolar disorder and atypical depression, which show that 60% or more with these particular diagnoses have additional elevations in depression symptoms during the fall and winter seasons.

We've all heard the term "biological clock." We are now somewhat sure of exactly where this resides in the brain. One responsibility of our biological clock is to measure the amount of light that comes through our retinas. Then our nervous system communicates this information to the Pineal Gland.

The Pineal Gland is responsible for producing Melatonin. The more light that comes through, the less Melatonin that is produced. In the fall and winter, when daylight hours are much fewer, the Pineal Gland produces much more Melatonin.

Ironically, Melatonin is a hormone known to have many positive benefits for us. It is prescribed for insomnia, helps with jet lag, improves immune function and is an antioxidant. The bad news for those of you who suffer from SAD is that it seems Melatonin is the culprit.

The symptoms for Seasonal Affective Disorder include, but are not limited to the following list:

• Excessive eating
  
• Weight gain
  
• Depression
  
• Excessive sleeping
  
• Decreased physical activity; much more sedentary
  
• Increased levels of fatigue
  
• Unclear or sluggish ability to think
  
• Feeling slowed down physically and mentally
  
• Previous history of elevated depression in fall/winter
  
• Strong cravings for sweets and starchy foods

Now, if some of this sounds familiar to you, and you're sure you do not struggle with seasonal depression it's because we all slow down some in the winter. We're biologically built to go into a sort of natural hibernation mode. The difference is when the symptoms listed above significantly impair several of your important life areas, such as family, social and work productivity in such a way that you are much less functional.

Take a proactive stance now. We're all familiar with "Prevention is the best medicine!" Have a fall and winter plan. Please, do it now while you are better able to put together a thoughtful plan of action. Here are some starters:

• Plan at least three social activities each month
• Expose yourself to as much bright light as possible
• Stay or become physically active through exercise
• Have good support systems in place
• Buy an indoor light box which gives 10,000 Lux natural full spectrum lighting
• Start a natural or prescribed antidepressant four weeks prior to the beginning of mid-fall and terminate use four weeks following the end of winter. Talk to your family doctor about this.

Page: 1 2

Enchanted Spirit assumes no liability for health care recommendations or treatments discussed by individual authors whose work is published on our website.

The information here is offered to help in your research and investigation of possible ways to manage your own health care issues. Common sense as well as solid professional advice from your own trusted medical care specialist or personal holistic health care practitioner should always be part of managing your health care choices.

Dave Turo-Shields is an author, university faculty member, success coach and veteran psychotherapist whose passion is guiding others to their own success in life. For weekly doses of the web's HOTTEST success tips, sign up for Dave's powerful "Feeling Great!" ezine at Overcoming Depression.

It's all to do with the training:
you can do a lot if you're properly trained.
~ Queen Elizabeth II ~
Born April 21, 1926

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Enchanted Spirit is a non-denominational spiritual center of healing, support, self-improvement, personal guidance, education and writing. We publish multi-media works of New Age thought and information to encourage serenity and growth in individual life choices, advance the universal search for life's meaning, and promote tolerance for positive ideas from all philosophies and religious traditions, believing as we do that truth is where you find it.

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Last updated January 2nd, 2004

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Earth Prayers From around the World: 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth
By
Elizabeth Roberts