It was not too long after Thanksgiving that I noticed that my “fat sweatpants” didn’t fit well. You know, the sweatpants that you go to when you are trying to be comfortable and relaxed. Initially, I chalked it up to a sign that I had enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and dismissed it. A few days later, I decided to stand on a scale. I had gained 24.5 lbs. in a month. How did I gain that much in a month? I thought to myself. The more that I sat back, the more I had a revelation about my lifestyle habits. I didn’t gain 24.5 lbs. in a month because I felt happy and fulfilled. I had gained that much weight because I was experiencing subtle, but still very relevant, signs of seasonal depression. Upon further examination, I realized that the signs of depression were beginning to creep into my life without me taking much notice. From what I understand, I am not alone. There is a lot of literature that is perpetuated by companies that address the “Winter Blues” and most often people respond with the same common statement “that’s not me, I love the holidays.” This is usually followed by people speaking of their loved ones or favorite holiday traditions. The reality is 10 to 20 percent of people are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Winter Depression. It is characterized by weight gain, drop in energy level, irritability, and increased sensitivity to social rejection, to name a few. In my case, I recognized that my virtually non-existent interest in my occupation (which up until a month or so ago, I had loved) coupled with actively avoiding exercise by prolonging it and earmarking it as a “New Year’s Resolution,” all while engaging in activities that provided me with instant social gratification were all signs that I was not living my life on my terms.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is often treated by light therapy, which in most cases if severe enough, needs to be treated by a physician. Because I was able to recognize the signs early, I was able to start rearranging my life without drastic intervention. I started taking a multivitamin daily. I became more aware of what I ate – actively avoiding foods that made me feel lethargic. I also took time to recharge my battery (and no, not by sleeping). I found a place within my home that forced me to engage in activities that I authentically enjoyed, such as prayer on my back porch or reading a book in the living room. As with most things in life, it comes down to 2 things: (1) acknowledging that something is not quite right and (2) exercising your “want to.” You are the most important contributor to your health, your family, and your story. Take the time and the steps to recognize the discrepancies and solve them.
“Losing your life is not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing is to lose your reason for living.” ― Jo Nesbo