Is It Time To Hibernate?
Is It Time To Hibernate?
By Shane Sauer
As we head toward the winter, the days get colder and shorter. Many animals decide to crawl into their dens and sleep the winter away.
Do you wish you could hibernate too?
As a human being, you’re not really built for hibernation. And our society certainly doesn’t promote it. However, we should acknowledge slowing down at this time of year is natural.
At one time, the holidays were an opportunity to slow down, gather with family and friends, and relax. But for many, it becomes a time of stress.
While there are a number of reasons for holiday stress, one of the most common that I encounter with my clients is fatigue.
You could argue that holiday stress causes fatigue, but there are so many wonderful aspects of holiday traditions that I believe you would feel less stressed if you were not fatigued.
Today, let’s identify a few seasonal reasons for fatigue and discuss how to combat them.
One of the main reasons you are more tired this time of year is reduced exposure to sunlight. Not only does the sun energize us mentally, but it also energizes us physiologically. Your skin uses sunlight to produce. Vitamin D. Without adequate Vitamin D, your mood and physical performance can suffer, making you feel more fatigued.
The other problem with reduced sunlight is that there’s less time to be active. It’s well known that being active actually reduces fatigue. You might feel tired after exercise, but you reap the benefits in the days that follow. Post-exercise, you will sleep better at night and your body will be stronger once you’re recovered.
To combat these two issues we, unfortunately, cannot make the sun stay up longer. However, there are some actions you can take to fight fatigue:
Supplement your diet with Vitamin D.
Find a fun activity for cold weather
Try Red Light Therapy
It’s very difficult to add Vitamin D to your diet through food. There are many common foods, though, that are fortified with Vitamin D like milk or orange juice. If you don’t like those foods, you could also supplement with Vitamin D3.
I love hockey and snowboarding, but if those activities are too cold for you, there are lots of things you can still do indoors to be active. The easiest one to try is dancing. You don’t even have to leave your home, just put on some good music. Can you think of any others? Be creative and try something new, or think back to the things you used to do when you were younger. Then get moving!
Lastly, you could try some Red Light Therapy. I discussed this in a blog recently, Check it out.
Don't wait to put these ideas into action. The holidays are right around the corner so you’ll want to be prepared for the stress before it gets to you.
If you have any questions, just reach out and ask. I’m always here to help!