Fall Colours & Winter Blues!

Have you ever wondered why the leaves change colour in the fall? Plants rely on sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water to oxygen and glucose, a nutrient that the plant uses for energy. As the days grow shorter, the green pigment in leaves either fades away uncovering a variety of yellows and oranges, or the excess glucose and waste trapped in the leaves are converted to red and brown pigments. Either way the result is the beautiful foliage we witness in the fall.

Sunlight has an effect on people too! Many of us feel more energy when it’s sunny, while we might feel like curling up in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa on a cloudy rainy day. Although these mood changes don’t generally affect our daily routines and responsibilities, they can require us to muster up extra energy to get through our day. Some may experience recurrent mild clinical depression-like symptoms that are seasonal and that sometimes last until spring. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Many people ask me what can be done about winter blues? I think the better question is what can you do to become healthier so the shorter days don’t affect you? Every cell in the human body requires healthy nourishment, oxygen and stimulation so if you wake up more tired than when you went to bed, or you don’t have 14 hours of energy to help you through your 12 hour day, we need to examine why.

Give yourself a grade for each of the following areas of health (A+ for couldn’t be better, F for couldn’t be worse!) Is your digestion healthy? Do you eat a healthy diet? Do you take nutrients to supplement your diet deficiencies? Do you feel toxic or are exposed to toxins? Do you have allergies and sensitivities? How healthy is your posture? Do you struggle with energy or hormone imbalances? How well do you cope with stress? Do you form and keep healthy relationships? Are you at your ideal weight? How is your body image and self-esteem? Are you happy? Do you get a minimum of 7 hours of uninterrupted restful sleep?

If you scored less than A+ in any area then you may not be living your fullest health potential! Dis-covering the causes of poor health and fixing the basics in life is the first step for a healthier and happier you, and this resonates into all areas of your life.