Some people experience a serious mood change during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This condition is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
SAD is a form of depression and can reduce the quality of life for the estimated 10 million Americans affected.
Common symptoms of SAD are mood swings, feeling unmotivated, over-eating, irritability, depression, disruptive sleep, lack of concentration, and fatigue.
One of the many therapies that can help SAD is massage. A recent article from the American Massage Therapy Association lists ways in which massage therapy can counteract physiological mood factors that often accompany SAD. According to the AMTA, massage can:
- Reduce anxiety and depression.
- Decrease hormones associated with anxiety.
- Significantly decrease heart rate and blood pressure
SAD is only seasonal, but when you’re in the thick of it, it can feel never-ending. If you’re looking for a natural treatment to help you beat the winter blues, consider giving massage therapy a try.
