Long nights, short days, sweaters, warm clothes and chilly weather make many of us sick and depressed. This depression which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is often called as winter Time Blues or Winter depression. The symptoms of winter depression are tendency to over eat, craving for carbohydrates and sweets and weight gain. Vata inside body increases in winter because of cold and dryness which is prevalent in outer atmosphere. The winter time depression is noticed mostly in persons who have vata as major constituent. Light therapy is recommended by doctors for winter time blues. Exposure to artificial light may cause headache , Irritability ,Eye strain , Inability to sleep and fatigue.
Moderate exercise like yoga is another remedy for winter depression. Spending time with friends on the beach helps to expose your body to sunlight and keeps your spirits high. 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 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 hot water bath. 4. Consume hot soups. 5. Use vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn.
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 act. 11. Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives whom you like. Full Article Find an Ayurvedic Spa
