{"id":646,"date":"2011-11-25T16:05:09","date_gmt":"2011-11-26T00:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=646"},"modified":"2014-12-05T16:04:24","modified_gmt":"2014-12-06T00:04:24","slug":"winter-blues-sad-holiday-stress-sugar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/winter-blues-sad-holiday-stress-sugar\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter blues, SAD, holiday stress and sugar"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gift<\/p>\n

Seasonal affective disorder<\/strong> (SAD) or \u201cwinter blues<\/strong>\u201d is a form of depression most often associated with the lack of light during the fall and winter months<\/strong>. It is very common and may be associated with low serotonin levels<\/strong>. We often associate low serotonin with depression, however low serotonin can also be associated with: anxiety, excessive worry and feeling overly stressed<\/strong>. There\u2019s evidence of seasonality in anxiety and panic attacks<\/strong>, just as there is with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Another common sign of low serotonin is increased carbohydrate cravings<\/strong>, especially during the afternoon or evening.<\/p>\n

Does this sound like you during the December holidays: Blah<\/strong>? Depressed <\/strong>for no reason? Stressed<\/strong>? Overwhelmed<\/strong>? Anxious<\/strong>? Eating tons of carbs and sugary foods<\/strong>? Perhaps it\u2019s not only the stress of the holidays but is made worse by low serotonin?!<\/p>\n

For many of my clients who are prone to having their serotonin levels decline in the winter months, if they don\u2019t the following approaches to raise serotonin<\/strong> they end up with worsening depression and anxiety, and increased afternoon and evening sugar cravings.<\/p>\n

So here are some tips to feel great during the holidays:<\/p>\n