Ayurveda regimen for winter depression.

Dr.Savitha Suri

Long nights, short days, sweaters, warm clothes and chilly
weather make many of us sick and depressed. This depression
which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD) and is often called as winter Time Blues or
Winter depression. The exact cause for this depression is as of
yet unclear. But yet few scientists believe lack of exposure to
sunlight as the reason for this disorder.



The symptoms of winter depression are tendency to over eat,
craving for carbohydrates and sweets and weight gain.



Had our ancestors observed this change in humans? The answer is
yes. Have they recommended any remedies? Yes, they have
recommended simple and effective natural remedies to overcome
Seasonal Affective Disorder. They have laid down explicit
guidelines about diet and lifestyles which have to be followed
according to seasons.



The winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in
ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts from mid November and ends in mid
January. This falls in southern solstice which is called as
visarga kala or dakshinayana in ayurveda. Sisira ritu starts
from mid January and lasts till middle of march. Sisira ritu
falls in Northern solstice which is called as Aadana kaala or
uttaraayana.



The response of human body to this season is very well explained
in ayurveda. People will have increased strength and their
digestion capacity is increased .This is marked by increased
hunger. These symptoms are caused by increased body fire which
is supported by vata. Vata inside body increases in winter
because of cold and dryness which is prevalent in outer
atmosphere.



The winter time depression is noticed mostly in persons who have
vata as major constituent in their prakriti or body
constitution. The cause for this type of change is longer nights
of winter.



Light therapy is recommended by doctors for winter time blues.
Exposure to artificial light may cause headache , Irritability
,Eye strain , Inability to sleep and fatigue. Exposure to
sunlight and if sunlight is not available sitting near fireplace
is the remedy suggested in Ayurveda.



Keeping the home well lit with lights help to reduce the
intensity of depression.



Moderate exercise like yoga is another remedy for winter
depression. Ayurveda recommends oil massage (abhyanga) to body
and head (moordha taila.). Indulging in sexual act to keep the
moods elevated and to keep the body warm is another strongly
suggested ayurvedic remedy.



Meeting friends who are kind and understanding boosts morale and
brightens up the day. Spending time with friends on the beach
helps to expose your body to sunlight and keeps your spirits
high.



Relaxing with meditation, massage , light music and laughter
helps to great extent.



The following ayurvedic tips help to prevent and reduce the
intensity of seasonal disorder of winter, the winter time blues.



1. Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can. In absence of
sun light sitting near fire place is very helpful.



2. Massage your body with vata balancing herbal oil (abhyanga).
Never forget to apply oil on your head (moordha taila.).



3. Then remove the oil by taking hot water bath. A mixture of
flours of yellow gram (channa), green gram (moong) , fenu greek
seeds (methi) in equal proportion is the best herbal scrub which
can be used to remove the oil. This mixture prevents the washing
of natural oil from skin.



4. Consume hot soups.



5. Use vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn, black gram
and jaggery.



6. Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salt tastes



7. Always use hot water for all daily routine activity.



8. Use thick blankets and sheets made of cotton, silk and wool.



9. Always wear foot wear.



10. Indulge in sexual act.



11. Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives whom you
like.



About the author:


Dr.SavithaSuri has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 1989.
After getting a graduation degree in ayurveda (Bachelor of
Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1988 from University of
Mysore, India, she started practising ayurveda . Her articles
about ayurveda have been published in news papers and websites.
She is a regular health columnist to a regional news paper.
http://www.ayurhelp.com email doctor@ayurhelp.com