At the moment there is snow in most parts of the UK. This is not unusual in winter, but it is becoming rarer. Times like this reminds me how much I do love snow. Having grown up in southern Africa (mostly South Africa, but also Zimbabwe) I didn’t see snow as a child. Even when, as an adult, I travelled I found myself in Florida. It was not until I came to the United Kingdom that I saw snow for the first time. It was such a magical and exciting experience. As J. B. Priestley (British Novelist and Playwright) said, “The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?”
Snow brightens the world and can be very calming. It also creates a Christmas like scene which many people associate with family, friends and happy times. It can also bring people together as they clear their cars or driveways at the same time or help a neighbour to do so.
Snow is truly wondrous, but it can be bad news for some. If you have to travel in it for any reason or can’t afford to heat your home it can be a disaster. But even if you are fortunate enough to not have these problems, winter can have other effects on your mental and physical health.
Many of us know about the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The causes of SAD are not fully understood, but it’s thought to be caused by reduced exposure to sunlight. The lack of sunlight stops the brain from producing the right amount of several important substances. These are:
- Melatonin. A hormone that makes you feel sleepy. SAD sufferers produce more than normal levels.
- Serotonin. A hormone that affects your mood, appetite and sleep. Reduced levels are linked to feelings of depression.
- Vitamin D. This vital vitamin boosts the immune system and ensure healthy bones, teeth and muscles.
So, try to get some sun, albeit winter sun. Perhaps take Vitamin D tablets and if you need help then ask for it. So if you struggle at this time of year, then Hypnotherapy can help. Contact me for more information.