Where’s the Sun?

As we enter into the holiday season, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves and those around us. Living in the Pacific Northwest has many wonderful benefits, but there’s also a trade-off: the doom and gloom of yet another rainy day! Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD), is a type of depression which many experts believe may be caused by a lack of sunlight. It is more common for people living in areas where days are very short or where there are big changes in the amount of daylight in different seasons. Group Health Cooperative has some very user friendly information and resources on SAD and depression. Also, be sure to check out their Self-Care Program, including the Self-Care Worksheets, a great tool for any stage of life, but especially when dealing with the stress of the holiday season.
Although you may not immediately think of massage as a tool in treating depression, I encourage you to consider massage as an option. One of the symptoms of depression is to experience physical body pain. Massage can help alleviate this pain, and re-establish a sense of connection to your own body. Massage is a great way to commit time exclusively to yourself, while also experiencing many of the benefits massage has to offer. I encourage you to schedule some time to focus on your own well being, and remember we, A Season To Heal, are here to help.

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