Ayurveda for Winter Depression
Long nights, short days, sweaters, warm clothes and chilly weather make many of us sick and depressed. This depression which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is often called winter-time blues or winter depression. The exact cause for this depression is not yet clear, but yet few scientists believe lack of exposure to sunlight is the reason for this disorder.
Along with depressive mood, the symptoms of winter depression are a tendency to overeat, cravings for carbohydrates and sweets, and weight gain.
Our ancestors observed this change in humans, and recommended simple and effective natural remedies to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder. They laid down explicit guidelines about diet and lifestyle to be followed according to seasons.
The winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in Ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts from mid-November and ends in mid-January. This falls in the southern solstice which is called visarga kala or dakshinayana in ayurveda. Sisira ritu starts from mid-January and lasts until mid-March. Sisira ritu falls in the northern solstice which is called as Aadana kaala or uttaraayana.
The response of the human body to winter is well explained in Ayurveda: People will have increased strength and their digestion capacity is increased. This is marked by increased hunger. These symptoms are caused by increased body fire which is supported by vata. Vata inside the body increases in winter because of cold and dryness which is prevalent in the outer atmosphere.
Winter time depression is noticed mostly in people who have vata as a major constituent in their prakriti or body constitution. The longer nights of winter are the cause of this type of change.
Light therapy is recommended by doctors for winter time blues. Exposure to artificial light may cause headaches, irritability, eye strain, inability to sleep, and fatigue. Exposure to sunlight, and if sunlight is not available sitting near the fireplace, is the remedy suggested in Ayurveda.
Keeping the home well lit with lights helps to reduce the intensity of depression.
Moderate exercise like yoga is another remedy for winter depression. Ayurveda recommends oil massage (abhyanga) to body and head (moordha taila). Indulging in sexual acts to keep mood elevated and to keep the body warm is another strongly suggested Ayurvedic remedy.
Meeting friends who are kind and understanding boosts morale and brightens up the day. Spending time with friends outside helps to expose your body to sunlight and keeps your spirits high.
Relaxing with meditation, massage, light music and laughter helps to great extent.
The following Ayurvedic tips help to prevent and reduce the intensity of SAD and winter-time blues:
- Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can. In absence of sunlight, sitting near a fireplace is very helpful.
- Massage your body with vata balancing herbal oil (abhyanga). Never forget to apply oil on your head (moordha taila). Then remove the oil by taking hot water bath. A mixture of flours of yellow gram (channa, or chickpea flour), green gram (moong, or mung bean flour) , fenugreek seeds (methi) in equal proportion is the best herbal scrub which can be used to remove the oil. This mixture prevents the washing of natural oil from skin.
- Consume hot soups.
- Use vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn, black gram and jaggery.
- Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salt tastes.
- Always use hot water for all daily routine activities.
- Use thick blankets and sheets made of cotton, silk and wool.
- Always wear foot wear.
- Indulge in sexual acts.
- Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives whom you like.
About the author
Dr. Savitha Suri has been an Ayurvedic practitioner since 1989. After getting a graduation degree in Ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of Mysore, India, she started practising Ayurveda . Her articles about Ayurveda have been published in newspapers and on websites, and she is a regular health columnist to a regional newspaper.
Dr. Savitha Suri lives in Mysore, Karnataka, India. She gives consultations in Mysore and also in Bangalore, the silicon valley of India.
Send an email to Savitha Suri
www.ayurhelp.com
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