by Lynn Jaffee, L.Ac.

If this cool fall weather has you thinking of palm trees, sunny beaches, and moving south, you’re not alone!  Everyone feels the effects of fall in one way or another.  However, for some, the move from the bright days of summer to the cool winter weather brings with it a form of depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

People who suffer from SAD feel fine during the warmer months, but suffer from symptoms such as depression, fatigue, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and lethargy during the late fall and winter.  Over ten million people in the United States suffer from SAD, two-thirds of which are women.  The cause of SAD is unknown, but it is thought by western doctors to be related to a drop in melatonin levels in the brain caused by decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter.  Currently, SAD is treated through the use of light therapy, and in some cases, antidepressants.

From a Chinese medical framework, SAD is related to an imbalance between Yin and Yang.  The theory of Yin and Yang was developed thousands of years ago to describe the relationship between opposing forces in nature.  Yang describes that which is bright, active, moving, warm and transforming.  In contrast, Yin describes those things which are cool, dark, still, and nourishing.  This time of year the seasons are changing from summer, which is a bright and warm Yang time of the year to the colder, darker, and more nourishing Yin winter months.

For some people, the abundance of Yin during the winter becomes overwhelming, giving way to the hallmark symptoms of SAD.  Lethargy, fatigue, and lack of motivation all reflect Yin characteristics.  Like a frozen river, this lack of movement ultimately creates stagnation which manifests as depression and feelings of sadness.

While there is no magic bullet for SAD, incorporating some Yang activities into your life can help.  Remember, Yang is warm, bright, and active.  Try to get outside during the middle of the day if possible, especially on sunny days.  While you may not feel motivated, taking a walk, going to the gym, or cross country skiing are all good ways to stir up the warmth and activity of Yang.  Also, activitiy in the form of change–trying something new–is a way to boost Yang.  Choose activities that warm not only your body, but your heart as well.  Time with friends or a special family event are both moving and warming activities.

Needless to say, Chinese medicine can offer some relief for SAD, too.  Acupuncture, combined with heat therapy and some Yang fortifying foods and/or herbs can be an effective way to get through the winter.

by Lynn Jaffee, L.Ac.

If you’re like many people, you have a fair amount of stress in your life.  This is more true now than ever before.  Whether you’re dealing with financial issues, a troublesome co-worker, or not having enough hours in the day, stress is taking its toll.  You’ve heard from everyone from your doctor to fitness gurus that stress impacts your health, and you know it makes you feel bad.  But what’s the big deal about stress anyway?  The answer in one word:  hormones.

When we think of hormones, most of us think of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.  But actually, there are hormones in our bodies that are much bigger players than the sex hormones.  Without them we could not survive even for a short period of time.  Those major players are adrenaline, insulin, and cortisol. 

Interestingly, the hormones that are released when you are under stress are adrenaline and cortisol, both of which are “breaking down” hormones, because they use up chemicals and nutrients in your body.  Both are released during stressful situations that give you the feeling of impending threat or danger, called the “fight or flight” response.  Adrenaline causes muscle loss because it helps your body use (or break down) anything available for fuel in order to escape.  Cortisol’s job is twofold:  first, to raise blood sugar so there is energy to move your muscles and run away.  The second job of cortisol is to shut down any high-energy functions of your body not needed for the fight or flight response, including the immune system, and some functions of the brain and emotions.  Prolonged high cortisol levels are associated with depression, memory loss, and frequent illnesses or infections.

When cortisol levels are high, and all that extra energy isn’t used (which is usually the case–we never actually run away from a short deadline or demanding boss!), more insulin (a “building up” hormone) is produced to lower blood sugar.  Here’s the interesting part–people with consistently high insulin will gain weight over time, and are prone to inflammation, arthritis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

So, in response to the question, what’s the big deal about stress, anyway?  There are two answers.  The first is that it feels bad and aggravates existing health conditions.  The second is that it is associated with suppression of the immune system, depression, weight gain, muscle loss, memory loss, arthritis, inflammation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Now, knowing how damaging stress can be to your health, what can you do to bring more tranquility and less “overwhelm” into your life?  While there are many ways to tame stress, most people don’t think about acupuncture, which is incredibly effective for stress and anxiety.  In just a treatment or two, you can change your stress response, support your immune system, and feel less overwhelmed.  What a great way to bring more peace and pleasure into your life!