Don't Let the Winter Blues Get You Down

Aloha,

Wish you were on a nice, warm beach soaking up the sun during these winter days? If you live in a place that is overcast, gloomy, rainy, and snowy during this time of year how can you beat these ‘winter blues’? Even though ‘winter blues’ isn’t a clinical depression diagnoses, seasonal depression tends to be an issue for many people.

Recently, I visited friends who struggle during winter and thought it may help to discuss some of my favorite ways to feel better.

• Get Up and Move - Set an exercise routine such as running, lifting weights, yoga, swimming. The endorphins produced will improve your happiness and sense of well-being.

• Vitamin D & Supplements – Vitamin D can help when we aren’t soaking up the sun. Keep following your program of other vitamins and supplements.

• Netflix & YouTube Videos – A good comedy list of movies and TV shows can keep you laughing. Use those cute animal YouTube videos to help brighten your day.

• Hot Chocolate, Tea, or Coffee – A perk to the chilly weather is the unlimited amount of warm drinks with flavors of pumpkin, gingerbread, peppermint, etc.

• Mini Vacation - Book a short vacation to treat yourself with a spa, hot tub, and room service.

• Hit the Slopes - If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing is a great exercise while enjoying the view.

• Throw a Party - Plan a get-together to socialize with friends and family.

• Read a Book - Nothing like grabbing a hot chocolate and blanket to cozy up on the couch with a good book on a stormy night.

• Keep Your Routine - Don’t let yourself sleep longer than you should. Keep your routine of when you go to bed and when you get up.

• Write Often - Journal writing is a great way to focus where to improve. Your future self and children will love to read it as well!

• Create Art - This is a great time to dive back into some artistic hobbies and share with others such as painting, ceramics, pastels, crocheting, and knitting. Personally, I love to crochet and give them as gifts.

• Bake – Nothing is better than having a fresh warm treat to fill the air. Drop off your baked goods as a surprise for friends and family.

Try something you have never done before and maybe you will find a new hobby or passion! I hope that this list will help you avoid or improve your ‘winter blues’ and enjoy this season. If you do not see improvement, do not hesitate to see a therapist. These healthcare professionals may be the solution you are looking for to feel better.

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Essential Oils & Menopause

Aloha!

 One of the most dreaded words for women is menopause. Many women embrace this natural change; however, other women are shocked when it happens to them. Personally, my body is going through menopause as a result of my cancer treatment. Unfortunately, I am very familiar with the constant hot and cold flashes women face during this difficult time.

 Have you realized what happens to your body besides the hot and cold flashes, or the joyous stop of your monthly cycle? What other changes take place within your body that cause these symptoms? Can you do anything to help compensate for what your body is losing? Dr. Dan Purser’s Essential Oils and Healthy Menopause: History and Research Secrets is a great resource to understand more about menopause. Below I will cover several main points, but I would recommend reading his book for a deeper look into menopause.

 In menopause, your ovaries begin to fail, if they haven’t failed already. From their failure, you will no longer produce at least five hormones including Progesterone, Testosterone, Estradiol, DHEA, and Pregnenolone. These hormones not only make us beautiful women, but protect us from aging. Fortunately, essential oils can help substantially. Below are oils and vitamins that are life-savers for replenishing these hormones:  

• Progesterone Supporting Essential

• Testosterone: Mountain Savory Blue Spruce Essential Oil

• Estrogen: Lavender oil and Clary sage

• Thyroid: Myrtle

• Jasmine

• Evening primrose essential oil

• Chaste Tree Berry Leaf

• Zinc tablets

• Glutathione

• Vitamin D

I would highly recommend learning more of how these oils benefit the loss of these hormones during menopause with Dr. Purser’s book. Hopefully using essential oils is possible solution to help you feel better and healthier!

Keep smiling,

Melissa

Contact us at (801) 796-7667 or info@danpursermd.com for help. Check back often for the newest updates!