This article will tell you how to beat the winter blues. For those that are unaware of the winter blues, it is a phenomenon that makes individuals feel sad in Winter.

Winter Blues is known by the name of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

By Jiri Hodan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I feel happy and can follow a non-carb diet during the sunny days

The National Institute Of Health published a study about SAD. People with SAD experience lack of energy, increase in appetite, depression, and food cravings on days where there is no sunshine. There is no sunshine when days are rainy, foggy, or the sky is covered with dark clouds.

Have you notice that the End-of-the-Year parties in the Northern Hemisphere have lot carbohydrate dense foods like cookies and breads?

I wonder if these traditions are part of beating the Winter Blues that people have always experienced through history.

When your serotonin levels are low, the body tends to crave foods high in carbohydrates and sugar. This is because these foods tend to raise the serotonin levels in your body. Turkey has a lot of the amino acid tryptophane

If you are not use to eating carbohydrates, you would find a good excuse not to eat them and eat protein rich food like turkey or fish instead.

By SomGod9 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons By Yinan Chen (www.goodfreephotos.com (gallery, image)) [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons

If you like to eat carbohydrates in the form of bread, pasta, cookies and rice, it was probably difficult to say no to these foods during the Winter. The abundance, variety and presentation of these foods is tempting even for the strongest willed people.

Cookies come in all shapes and colors. They are an stimulus to our hedonic hunger.

The problem with carbohydrates is that they transform into fat if you do not use the energy that carbohydrates provide immediately.

If you do a lot of exercise, you can eat more carbohydrates and keep a healthy weight. However, you should not overeat them because you will gain weight.

By Yinan Chen (www.goodfreephotos.com (gallery, image)) [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You can control the Winter Blues with some strategies :

1- Turn on artificial lights in Winter as soon as you awake.
2- Use a Light Box that has been tested in peer review clinical trials and have smooth diffusing screens that filter UV rays.
3- Connect with family, friends, and love ones.
4- Exercise
5- Dress warm
6- Go for a walk, enjoy the view, and accept the Winter.
7- Eat healthy. Watch out on carbohydrate rich foods! They may make you feel a little better for a while, but this is a temporary fix. Eat nutritious foods rich in protein and vitamins.
8- Take a multivitamin with Vitamin D.
9- 5-HTP may help.
9- Make a plan for Spring
10- Sleep well
11- Consult your doctor or another health professional if you are depressed, you may need some medication.

                     

Now you know why there is a tendency to eat more carbohydrates in the winter. This is especially true when people have the winter blues. There are ways you can beat them!

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