Dark Days, Sunny Disposition
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Sometimes in MN we get many cloudy days in a row. Recently it has been snowing and that has been a little more than I can handle because it is MARCH and March is the beginning of spring.
So when the flowers aren’t coming up or the snow isn’t melting (it’s falling from the sky) and you start to feel rage at the weather… Know you aren’t the only one that struggles during the darker months.
I want to say right at the beginning, seasonal depression, depression and mental health are important, and there are treatment options available. If you are finding this time difficult, reach out to a friend, trusted companion, or health care provider.
As a pharmacist, I think that medications to help are a blessing, they help many manage the seasons of life.
As a functional medicine pharmacist, there is more than just a pill that can help to increase mood – and that is what I want to highlight today.
I was feeling weather related rage, irritability at everything, and general malaise this past weekend while the snow fell and fell and fell. I worked hard to find the snow beautiful (because it was) and a recent podcast about being happy stated: those who spend more time in a state of awe are happier. I certainly want to be happier. But really, I could not get to awe – it was just anger.
So I took that anger and cleared ice from the alley.
Why would rage-filled ice removal help improve your mood?
It was a great way to be outside, help others, and get movement in.
Being outside increases your exposure to fresh air, especially in the winter. During the winter the air in our houses becomes stale and full of toxins. Fresh air helps better oxygenate your blood. Better oxygen in our blood means that our cells can work better.
By clearing the ice in the alley, I wasn’t just opening up my driveway, I was making the alley clearer for my neighbors. Service for others is an excellent way to help increase your mood.
Chipping away at the ice required some strength, the working of your muscles can help to increase your dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help to increase your mood.
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Clearing ice may not take away all the March-snow-blues, but it certainly can help make a day better. And sometimes that is all that is needed until the sun comes out.
If you want to learn more about the podcast I have been listening to, sign up for the Pharmacist Almanac. An occasional newsletter with functional medicine tips, recipes, pod cast recommendations and stories.
If you are struggling with depression or low mood associated with the seasons, it is important to let someone know and get help. Learn more at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).