HELPING SAD, SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER WITH HYPNOTHERAPY IN CENTRAL LONDON, READING AND DIDCOT
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Hypnotherapy for S.A.D – the Seasonal Affective Disorder
Around 10% of Brits confess to having had a taste of the ‘winter blues’ from time to time with an additional 2% being diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder – a notably more acute condition. Incidences of S.A.D increase statistically with distance from the equator and women appear to be the more vulnerable sex (due frequent hormonal changes).
In the U.K symptoms generally manifest between September and April and may include one or all of the following:
- Depression, anxiety and/or low mood
- Sleep problems: difficulty getting up, feeling constantly tired, needing an daytime nap
- Increased appetite: overeating, cravings for carbohydrate rich or high fat foods
- Feeling anti-social or emotionally disconnected
- Finding it difficult to cope with daily tasks, struggling to concentrate
- Diminished libido and relationship difficulties
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What causes SAD?
Our internal ‘body clock’ is regulated by the amount of light hitting the retina. Contrary to summer, short, dark winter days appear to trigger a reverse ratio of serotonin (thought to regulate happiness, well-being, mood etc) to melatonin (typically only released at night to facilitate sleep). For this reasons alone, it’s not uncommon for those suffering from S.A.D to turn to SSRI’s, such as Prozac, in a bid to restore chemical balance.
Hypnotherapy can help to:
- Restore nervous, endocrine (hormonal) & immune balance
- Reduce stress & increase relaxation
- Regulate sleep patterns
- Motivate you to make necessary lifestyle changes (diet, exercise etc.)
- Identify & resolve emotional or psychological blocks (unconscious/conscious) that may be triggered by S.A.D and other depressive states
- Minimise negative self-talk, limiting beliefs & worrisome thinking – restoring a sense of calm, confidence & self-esteem
- Establish mind-body communication – increasing self-awareness & intuition
Who is Affected
According to NIMH, women are almost four times more likely to be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those between the ages of 20 and 30 are also more likely to develop SAD than adults in older generations. While there isn’t a ton of agreement on what specifically relates to women and young people being more at risk, some have connected disorder prevalence to occurring during child-bearing years.
Seasonal Affective Disorder as described by NHS – HERE
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What can I do to help myself?
1. Look to the light – Expose yourself to sunlight to boost serotonin. Get outdoors.
2. Reduce Stress – Commit to making the necessary changes to your lifestyle and ensure that you include regular relaxation.
3. Get some Exercise – Physical activity helps to lift a low mood. 30 minutes of walking, jogging or cycling raises serotonin levels for up to four hours.
4. Get your Vitamins – B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B6 (pyridoxine) as well as folic acid, selenium, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are needed to make serotonin. Vitamin D alone has been seen to positively impact mood and increase immunity.
5. Eat well – This is a topic in and of itself. Look into some of the Patrick Holford (renowned nutritionist) titles available.
6. Heat therapy – Perspiration helps to rid the body of toxins (associated with low mood and lethargy). During the winter, a sauna/steam (twice a week for at least 10 minutes) offers similar benefits. Alternatively add calming or energising products to a warm bath. Both sea salts and algae are high in trace elements and help to replenish depleted vitamins and minerals (such as calcium and iron). Add essential oils such as lemon, lime, orange or eucalyptus to energise the mind or basil to lift the spirit.
7. The healing power of touch – Studies show that massage can increase serotonin by 28% and decreases cortisol (the stress hormone) by 31%.
8. Mind matters – Hypnotherapy is a powerful way to resolve negative emotions like fear, guilt and anger and fewer emotional barriers result in reduced emotional stress and a more balanced life.
Call 07807 540142 or Email today