Phoenixbln’s BodyBlog

When winter comes and sunlight becomes less and less, sometimes your motivation can also fade along with it. You want to get into the gym and even though the desire is there - getting your feet to move in the direction of the gym can be a hard step. Even people with home gyms may begin to see more dust than sweat on their equipment. It could be a result of Seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, repeatedly, year after year. Some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can range from mild to severe, they usually clear up. Women are more prone to be affected by SAD than men.

Some way of counteracting SAD is Negative air ionization, which involves the release of charged particles into the sleep environment, has also been found effective with a 47.9% improvement. Unfortunately, such a machine is not necessarily cheap.  Bright light treatment is common although up to 69% of patients find it inconvenient and as many as 19% of patients stop use because of this. A specially designed lamp, many times brighter than normal indoor lighting, is placed near the sufferer, and has proven to be effective at doses of 2500 - 10,000 lux. Most treatments use 30-60 minute treatments, however this varies depending on the situation. Of course, one of the most effect treatments, is getting to the gym. Adding more cardio to your routines and also enjoying 15-20 minutes in a sauna.

Whichever way you choose to fight again SAD, what is most important is to realize that you are not lazy and you are not alone. It may take a little bit more effort during the winter months but your progress and motivation does not have to disappear, even when it is cold and dark outside.