Posts tagged ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’
Give Thanks at All Times!
Friends,
I hate setting my clocks back one hour. As we know, it happens every year about this time – last week in fact. With the early darkened skies of daylight savings time many struggle with something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Google told me that SAD is a type of depression that happens during a certain season of the year—most often fall and winter. There is no clear cause of SAD. Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Those types of chemical changes and more in our brains are also responsible for other mental health disorders. Many have told me that my November 2022 article “The Truth About A Secret That Many Keep” is very insightful and that everyone should read it. You’ll find it here: https://nancigravill.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/the-truth-about-a-secret-that-many-keep/
You may also want to read Pastor Rick Warren’s article, “It’s Not A Sin to Be Sick” which calls for an end to the stigma around mental illness and greater collaboration between science and medical professionals and people of faith. We’d like to push it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist. Sadly, it does. https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/325127-mental-health-and-the-church-rick-warren-its-not-a-sin-to-be-sick.html.
You may not have a mental illness or suffer from SAD, however, who hasn’t been disappointed by life. Let the life lessons that you have learned, help you form thoughtful, caring, and loving messages to share with those around you.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Do you know of anyone who will be alone on Thanksgiving? What about inviting them over to share a meal as you give thanks with your family? After all, Philippians 2:4 (AMP) says it best:
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Don’t Forget to Make Today a Great Day!
God bless you!
Nanci
Brown Rice + Veggies with Ginger Sauce ~ Mental Health
~More resources to help you in keeping with my book Fresh Hope … Cleveland.
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Welcome back to this new series ~all about your health!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many people have mental health issues and deal with everything from seasonal affective disorder to bipolar or schizophrenia. Mental illness is no different from any other health concern. Just like having a lump in your breast or a sinus infection, you need to take care of it. And since May is Mental Health Awareness Month I’m going to educate you just a little bit about this subject. It’s not something you need to be afraid of. You’ll see why.
Please keep the people of Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers after yesterday’s horrific tornado.
God Bless You!
Nanci
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Mental illness affects about 25 percent of the population. Physician Jeffery Rediger of Harvard University indicates “Mental illnesses are treatable, and often more fixable than people realize. For a discipline that is not much more than one hundred years old, it’s surprising how effective many treatments are, and how much better a person can feel when they have the professional assistance that helps them solve problems, decrease stress, and feel supported.”
When asked what the biggest misconception the public has with mental illness Dr. Rediger said this, “That an illness involving the brain is any different from any other kind of illness. People too often still feel judged if they struggle with their mental health. Psychotherapist Tina Tessina added, “Only a very small percentage of mentally ill people pose a danger to others. Slightly more are dangerous to themselves (suicidal, neglecting health care and hygiene, manic, or apt to endanger themselves because they’re not attuned to their surroundings). Most mentally ill people are not as dramatic or visible as most people think.
Personally, I know someone with schizophrenia and another with mild bipolar — they have just the depression not the mania (high) associated with the most serious form of the illness. Both individuals are well-adjusted and live normal lives and they work. I had no idea either one had an illness. I think it just our own fear about something we know nothing about that frightens us. You can learn more at the link below.
Link to find out more about mental health:
http://causes.msn.com/mental_health_month_2013/?section=gallerylong_4#section=gallerylong_4
The Wonder Drug ~ Vitamin D
~Welcome! More resources and information in keeping with my new book Fresh Hope … Cleveland.
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Book Signing News!
What: Book signing ~ Saturday, March 23, 2013
Where: Friends and Family Christian Bookstore
Address: 7625 Walton Road -Walton Hills, Ohio.
Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Co-owners Anita Foster and Grace Mason along with yours truly invite you to this charming bookstore experience! See the Book Signing + Events tab on this blog!
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Background
Is Vitamin D the new wonder drug in medicine?
New research over the past few years about the importance of Vitamin D and it’s effects has made the medical profession rally more aggressively to screen patients for adequate levels of Vitamin D.
Right before Christmas my doctor put me on 100,000 units of Vitamin D for eight weeks. She wanted to get my Vitamin D level up to the therapuetic level (31 – 80). Now my blood level is at 70.8 and I feel wonderful! I noticed the difference after about three weeks of taking supplements. To maintain this theraputic level I just have to keep my blood level stable by taking 14,000 units of Vitamin D each week and then getting my blood level checked periodically. Opps! That reminds me I need to take my Vitamin D right now!
But in researching this sort of wonder drug if you will, I found lots to share with you about the importance of Vitamin D and how it can help you too. Because adequate Vitamin D levels are absolutely essential for a healthy life.
Just a few of the Benefits of Vitamin D
Vitamin D benefits the life and health of a person in far more ways than is commonly known.
1. The “sunshine” vitamin, as it is sometimes called, is commonly known for its effect on strengthening the bones and joints in the human body by aiding the absorption of calcium in women and men. This can help prevent bone related disorders such as arthritis and osteoporosis.
2. It also helps the body build up immunity. Our bodies can produce Vitamin D naturally if we have sufficient exposure to sunlight — but none of us really get enough sunlight. Therefore, doctors now recommend that you take Vitamin D supplements.
3. For women who are at a postmenopausal stage, are more prone to bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Vitamin D reduces the softening of bones by allowing their bodies to absorb more calcium.
4. Women who suffer from constant fatigue can benefit from Vitamin D supplements as it helps to increase energy.
5. In Men: While both sexes are affected by a lack of this essential vitamin, the effects are more pronounced in men. Vitamin D reduces cancers that older men are prone to including prostrate and colon cancer.
Link for article on Men’s All About Men: Facts About Your Frame: http://www.realage.com/mens-health/all-about-men-facts-about-your-frame?src=nl&dom=realage&list=surf&link=p4&ad=mens-health-sb&eid=1010678134&memberid=31882485
6. Mental Health Benefits: The incidence of depression is high in areas affected by seasonal low light conditions (a condition often referred to as seasonal effective disorder [SAD]). Taking daily supplements of Vitamin D has been found to have a positive effect on a person suffering from SAD and other forms of depression.
Lower levels of Vitamin D are associated with a higher chance of developing conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
For more about Vitamin D and it’s benefits for both men and women, follow the link below.
2. http://www.livestrong.com/article/322116-vitamin-d3-vs-vitamin-d/
Here’s to a healthy you!
God Bless You!
Nanci
Winter Can Really Make You Feel Lousy ~ The Winter Blues
~In keeping with the many great things in my new book Fresh Hope … Cleveland, here is news on a very important health issue.
Since the weather is changing and the snowflakes will soon fly, I thought this would be a very good time to share this message with you all –again. I wish each one of you a good winter season, the ability to be really productivity when there’s lot of sunshine or when there’s none. Besides all that, I wish you a wonderful Christmas, good health, and a lot of joy!
Make it a great day!
God Bless You!
Nanci
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Feeling a Little Sad or Even Depressed?
Depression can happen to any of us at any given time. It can be due to changes in your life, a new baby, loss of loved ones or a job, and a host of many other things including chemical changes in the brain. If you are feeling sad, having difficulty functioning; there is no shame in getting help from a professional if you need it. Please discuss any difficulties with your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, it’s time to get one!
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The Winter Blues
Got the winter blues? In Cleveland, about 20 percent of us are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Since we have so many cloudy days here, the lack of sunlight hinders the brain’s ability to make a chemical called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin can cause you to feel sluggish and depressed. Good remedies to improve your well-being include taking a walk in the early morning hours when there is sun and increasing your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids by eating oily fish like salmon, herring, or sardines. Also make sure your diet includes at least 800 units of Vitamin D daily and foods rich in Vitamin C. For good brain functioning, get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
If you are still experiencing problems after monitoring your diet and exercise, see your doctor to discuss your symptoms and concerns. Your doctor may recommend you spend ten to fifteen minutes in front of of a therapeutic light box with 10,000 LUX (no UV rays).
Visit http://www.sunbox.com or http://www.sadtherapylamps.com for more information on purchasing therapeutic light boxes.
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Helpful Websites
Below are some very useful tools from Mental Health America’s website which can help you feel your best. Also check out their link for depression screening: http://www.depression-screening.org/depression_screen.cfm
10 Tools ~ to Feel Your Best
These proven tools can help you feel stronger and more hopeful. Check out each page for specific, easy-to-follow tips.
Nanci's "More Precious Than Gold + Fresh Hope" Blog 