| Do not be sad this winter, give your self | | | | One method of combating seasonal affective |
| esteem a boost and conquer seasonal affective | | | | disorder is by increasing the light levels |
| disorder (S.A.D.). Many people suffer from | | | | that you receive to compensate for the lack |
| what is now known as winter depression, and | | | | of sunlight by using a special light box or |
| if you live in the northern hemisphere as I | | | | light visor. However there can be side |
| do where winter is gathering pace, you are | | | | effects when using this method which may |
| more likely to suffer from it than someone | | | | include headaches, eye strain, irritability |
| south of the equator. | | | | and fatigue, many of the symptoms that are |
| | | | trying to prevent or cure. Obviously anyone |
| The common symptoms of seasonal affective | | | | with light sensitive skin would need to take |
| disorder will consist of tiredness, lack of | | | | extra care if using a light box. |
| energy, irritability, a preference for | | | | |
| starchy or sweet foods which will often lead | | | | Since discovering self hypnosis I have found |
| to putting on excess weight, sleeping during | | | | that I am able to control my mindset and |
| the day time and overlaying in the mornings | | | | prepare myself for the dark days of winter. |
| plus a general feeling of wanting to keep | | | | If for instance I feel a gloomy mood |
| yourself to yourself and being anti-social. | | | | descending I am able to trigger off a happy |
| | | | and pleasing image which in turn leads to a |
| Of course all of this is made worse with the | | | | feeling of warmth which energizes me and |
| thought of all of the Christmas and New Year | | | | sends the dark clouds packing. Of course not |
| celebrations ahead of you, a time when high | | | | everyone is able to do this straight away, |
| energy levels are needed. You really do not | | | | but with practice it will become almost |
| want to be a part of it all, a feeling which | | | | second nature. |
| deepens the depression and can be a very | | | | |
| painful experience, both for the sufferer and | | | | So my advice this autumn is to prepare |
| their family and friends. Seasonal affective | | | | yourself for winter now, practice some self |
| disorder is not confined to winter as it can | | | | hypnosis and you can save yourself from |
| also affect some people in the summer months | | | | having a sad winter and enjoy the Christmas |
| which are again high energy level months with | | | | and New Year festivities to the full. Once |
| holidays and weekend outings going on all of | | | | you have mastered sending yourself into |
| the time. But with the sun feeding us energy | | | | trance you will find that just a few minutes |
| it tends not to be as severe as in the dark, | | | | when needed will suffice to enable you to |
| cold and damp winter months. | | | | feel the benefits self hypnosis can bring |
| | | | you. |