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Winter is the notorious season of darkness, with shorter daytimes and less sunshine outside. Some northern countries like Sweden and Canadas have only 4 hours of sunlight on some of the darkest days of winter! This lack of light and sunshine can dampen mood and feelings of well-being, and many people report feeling more sad and down in the dumps during the winter. Even the color of the daylight changes, turning the sky & landscape pale. Days like "Blue Monday", the name for the last Monday in January, are a testament to winter dreariness. The pervasive winter blues has led to the recognition of "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD), a condition characterized by low mood, depression, and sadness that only comes during the winter months.

Seasonal depression often starts as early as December, the darkest month of the year. Start to recognize your changing moods. Is there a relationship to the waning sunshine? When feeling sadness during the wintertime, start spending some time out in the sunshine each day around noon when the sun is at its peak. This means getting the sunshine necessary for chipper mood. Spending an extra 20 minutes per day in the afternoon sun will build your storehouse of vitamin D, and help your body transition with the season rather than fighting it. Light candles or a fire to make the home feel warmer and to introduce more light. Perhaps you look into and research light box therapy or supplemental Vitamin D. Every little bit of light helps! My Saved Articles | Most Popular

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.

John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.

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