Local Life - Wigan - November 2018
Wigan's FREE local lifestyle magazine.
Wigan's FREE local lifestyle magazine.
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77<br />
SAD Times<br />
As many as 1 in 6 people suffer with a low mood in<br />
Winter and a small number of these will suffer with<br />
the more serious Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).<br />
SAD sufferers are less able to control their serotonin<br />
levels in the absence of sunlight and if serotonin<br />
levels drop too low, so will your mood. Here are<br />
five ways to raise your serotonin levels even in the<br />
coldest, darkest months.<br />
Lighten up - As lack of sunlight is the problem,<br />
more light could be a solution. Light boxes are<br />
available that provide levels of brightness which<br />
can elevate your brain’s serotonin levels.<br />
Exercise - There’s evidence that aerobic exercise<br />
not only boosts your brain’s levels of serotonin but<br />
also keeps those levels elevated for hours after your<br />
workout.<br />
Laugh - A study in Norway found that laughing<br />
with friends, watching a funny movie or doing<br />
something that briefly improves your mood may<br />
stoke your brain’s levels of serotonin.<br />
Step outside - Spending at least 30 minutes a<br />
day outdoors, especially with other people, may<br />
offset the seasonal drops in serotonin in the winter<br />
months.<br />
Physical contact - Massage has been proven to<br />
increase your brain and body’s levels of serotonin.<br />
The soothing experience significantly reduces the<br />
blues.<br />
By Louise Addison
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