- Ayurveda
Regime For Winter Depression
- by Dr.SavithaSuri
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Long nights, short days and chilly
weather makes many of us feel sick and depressed. This depression
which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD) and is often called the Winter Time Blues or Winter Depression.
The exact cause for this depression is as of yet unclear. But
yet few scientists believe lack of exposure to sunlight as the
reason for this disorder.
The symptoms of winter depression
is a tendency to over eat, cravings for carbohydrates and sweets
and weight gain.
Had our ancestors observed this
change in humans? The answer is yes. Have they recommended any
remedies? Yes, they have recommended simple and effective natural
remedies to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder. They have laid
down explicit guidelines about diet and lifestyles which have
to be followed according to seasons.
The winter season is marked as
Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in Ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts
from mid November and ends in mid January. This falls in southern
solstice which is called as visarga kala or dakshinayana in Ayurveda.
Sisira ritu starts from mid January and lasts till middle of
march. Sisira ritu falls in Northern solstice which is called
as Aadana kaala or uttaraayana.
The response of the human body
to this season is very well explained in Ayurveda. People will
have increased strength and their digestion capacity is increased
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This is marked by increased hunger.
These symptoms are caused by increased body fire which is supported
by Vata. Vata inside the body increases in winter because of
cold and dryness which is prevalent in the outer atmosphere.
Winter time depression is noticed
mostly in people who have Vata as major constituent in their
prakriti or body constitution. The cause for this type of change
is the longer nights of winter.
Light therapy is recommended
by doctors for winter time blues. Exposure to artificial light
may cause headaches, irritability, eye strain, inability to sleep
and fatigue. Exposure to sunlight and if sunlight is not available
sitting near fireplace is the remedy suggested in Ayurveda.
Keeping the home well lit with
lights help to reduce the intensity of depression.
Moderate exercise like yoga is
another remedy for winter depression. Ayurveda medicine recommends
oil massage (abhyanga) to body and head (moordha taila.). Indulging
in sexual acts to keep the moods elevated and to keep the body
warm is another strongly suggested ayurvedic remedy.
Meeting friends who are kind
and understanding boosts morale and brightens up the day. Spending
time with friends on the beach helps to expose your body to sunlight
and keeps your spirits high.
Relaxing with meditation, massage,
light music and laughter helps to a great extent.
The following ayurvedic tips
help to prevent and reduce the intensity of seasonal disorder
of winter, the winter time blues.
1. Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can.
In absence of sun light sitting near a fire place is very helpful.
2. Massage your body with Vata balancing herbal
oil (abhyanga). Never forget to apply oil on your head (moordha
taila).
3. Then remove the oil by taking a hot water bath.
A mixture of flours of yellow gram (channa), green gram (moong),
fenu greek seeds (methi) in equal proportion is the best herbal
scrub which can be used to remove the oil. This mixture prevents
the washing off of natural oils from skin.
4. Consume hot soups.
5. Use Vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn,
black gram and jaggery.
6. Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salt
tastes.
7. Always use hot water for all daily routine activity.
8. Use thick blankets and sheets made of cotton,
silk and wool.
9. Always wear foot wear.
10. Indulge in sexual acts.
11. Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives
whom you like. |
