seasonal affect disorder.

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.”

–Saint Francis de Sales

The winter season is best known for the contradicting feelings we experience. On one hand, there is so much joy in giving for the holidays and surrounding ourselves with those we love.  On the other hand, for many of us, Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) comes into full swing because we are fast approaching the darkest and coldest days of the year. According to A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, the following symptoms are common during this time of year:

• Increased appetite with weight gain
• Increased sleep and daytime sleepiness
• Less energy and ability to concentrate in the afternoon
• Loss of interest in work or other activities
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• Social withdrawal
• Unhappiness and irritability

Naturally, we get even more down about ourselves when we’re in these moods.  Writing from the not- so- sunny- all- the-time state of Oregon, I can attest that SAD is all around and it’s… sad. How do we combat this? Here’s some helpful tips:

• Acupuncture, Moxabustion, and Qigong! Chinese Medicine techniques will support you through these tough times in helping to maintain balance in your body. Since our bodies are already using a lot of energy in the winter to fend off wind and cold invasions, seeking professional support for a physical and emotional boost can really make all the difference, so we don’t deplete our energy. We need to focus on keeping your inner fire (yang) going!
• Spend time outdoors (if possible): Any natural sunlight you can get this time of year will give you that much more nutrients your body needs in order to stay balanced and happy. Just remember to bundle up and wear a scarf!
• Exercise Regularly: Daily exercise, (extra bonus if it’s outside) will help combat anxiety, depression, and lack of focus. We all know how good it feels to exercise! If you haven’t explored Qigong, Tai Chi, or Yoga yet, this would be a great time to start! There are specific forms that are specific to building that inner warmth inside.
• Watch what you eat: When making food choices, be careful of too much fat or sugar consumption. Make a conscious effort to incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and proteins for sustainable energy that will not contribute to packing on too much winter weight. Of course, everything in moderation is key. After all, it’s the holiday season and we all have our favorite treats that only come once a year. Sarah of Greenwell Being can support your nutritional needs!                      www.greenwell-being.com :)
• Light Therapy: A special lamp that mimics sunlight has been very helpful for those with SAD. People will sit in front of this high intensity lamp (UV rays are filtered out) for 30 minutes to 2 hours each day and see marked improvements in their mood throughout the winter time. Light therapy has also been shown to improve symptoms of ADHD. Prices range significantly on these lamps, but from what I have heard from patients, they are well worth the investment!
• Remember you are HUMAN: It’s natural for our bodies to go through ups and downs. What’s important is that we honor this part of who we are rather than be hard on ourselves for not being a certain way. You are you, and that’s the best you can do!
• Become involved with your Community: Volunteering and giving back to your community benefits everyone involved. You feel good for giving your time to a worthwhile cause and others feel good because their basic needs are met. Need ideas? This little lark is still collecting donations through December to support families in need this holiday season! (No amount is too small). Seek out local charities, shelters, and soup kitchens in your area for volunteer work. They are always in need of a helping hand.
• Spend time with your LOVED ones: “All you need is love”… and spending time with people who make you feel loved will most likely get smiles and laughter out of you! This definitely helps the days feel not so gray.

Have questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Stay warm and don’t forget to take care of the most important thing… YOU

Blessings & Gratitude, TLL

yin yang balance.

“Compare birth with death, compare death with life; compare what is possible with what is not possible and compare what is not possible with what is possible; because there is, there is not, and because there is not, there is.”  ~Chuang Tzu

The beauty and grace of nature, the seasons, and elements are always around us, graciously offering all the resources we need to learn to be balanced and live a fulfilling life.  Thousands of years ago, scholars in China committed their life to having a deep understanding of the correlation between nature and the human body.  They interpreted natural phenomena and observed how these are reflected in the human body in health and disease. This is when the theory of Yin and Yang became an integral part of Chinese philosophy.

It is said that all phenomena in life can be reduced to Yin and Yang.  Essentially, they are opposite ends of a spectrum that cannot exist without each other. In a state of harmony, Yin and Yang will continue to balance one another out.  For example, a shadow (yin) cannot exist without light (yang). Playing all day (yang) necessitates some rest, relaxation and reflection (yin) to recharge. To reproduce life, male energy (yang) must be combined with female energy (yin).  Day light (yang) is as equally important as night (yin). Too much on one end of the spectrum will lead to a disharmony that if gone too long without change, can lead to a dis-ease.  Think of a time where you had to stay awake all night, or a time when there was a drought that jeopardized food crops, or how you feel when you skip eating a meal; what we are experiencing is a tip in the balance scale of life that sends a message to us saying that change (like sleep, rain water, or food intake) is needed. Sometimes these messages are loud and clear, but other times we need gentle reminders to look inside, take inventory and listen to what our bodies or the world around us is asking of us.

Balance is a state of being that we all strive to be in whether we’re conscious of it or not. We as Chinese Medicine Practitioners aim our treatments to guide the body towards a state of balance and harmony. Over time (which varies),  the body is exposed  to the proper amount of needle stimulation, herbs, energetic movement,  bodywork, nutrition, and/or lifestyle coaching to see positive, harmonious changes in all of the realms of health.  It may be a complicated system that takes years and years to start to really understand, but ultimately it always goes back to the same principle: balance. Is the body, mind, and spirit in balance?

Start to take inventory of your life, relationships, and wellbeing and see if you’re able to break it down in terms of yin and yang.  For every yin is there a yang? If not, can there be? Any “aha!” thoughts coming to you?  Some relationships to consider with this: Give and take, work and play, awake and sleep, social and alone, energy input and output (food and exercise), listening and speaking… if you go out for a walk outside, are you noticing the yin and yang of nature?

A chart that breaks down some key relationships in Yin Yang Theory:

Enjoy thinking of this new way of looking at relationships in life and happy Sunday! Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions that may come up!