I always feel a little sad during August. Towards the end of this month the long summer days are noticably getting shorter and the summer holidays are drawing to a close. Businesses and shops are no longer focussing on summer products and are now looking at autumn/winter collections.
Inevitably, the autumn and winter will be soon upon us. Are you one to suffer with the winter blues? Some people suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which although the actual cause is still unknown, it is thought to be a depression brought on with the shorter days, lack of daylight and darker mornings. Symptoms include low mood and lack of interest in life (1).
Lack of sunlight is suggested to cause an upset in the balance of the endocrine glands situated in the brain, and thus the production of the hormones serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is known to influence mood, social behaviour, sleep and memory, whereas melatonin is connected to the body’s natural circadium rhythm (natural body clock), sensing the onset of darkness/night time and thus makes us sleepy at the right time.(2)
Reflexology would aim to help improve the symptoms of SAD, with a treatment plan focussing on the endocrine, digestive and nervous systems (note that serotonin is also produced in the intestines). A course of treatments would endeavour to rebalance the body, asking the body to ignite its self-healing processes, and thus improve mood and feelings of lacklustre.
Alternatively, the Lumie Bodyclock Iris 500 might be able to help. (3) An alarm clock and aromatherapy diffuser all-in-one combines light therapy with aromatherapy to gently wake you up in the morning and help you fall asleep at night. The Lumie is designed to reset your natural bodyclock and provides relief with its wonderful alternative to the usual jolting alarm clock sound.
The light source turns on gradually in the last 30 minutes of your sleep, mimicking a natural sunrise. This alongside your favourite essential oil (geranium or lemon for example) helps you ease into the day gently. The lamp can also be used in the evening to help you fall asleep, thus encouraging the natural secretion of melatonin and natural onset of sleep, alongside the appropriate essential oil, such as lavender.
The Lumie has two separate chambers for essential oils which makes it easy to switch between essential oil blends, one for night time and one to wake up to.
The Lumie is not just for people suffering with SAD, but can also be a wonderful aid for boosting energy levels, healthy sleep patterns and improved sports training. The Lumie is available from my webshop, or alternatively order with me direct via phone/email to receive £25 worth of complimentary aromatherapy oils of your choice for to get you started.
(1) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Seasonal-affective-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
(2) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness 12th Edition
Jackie Marsden MAR is a qualified reflexologist and an independent consultant for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. All views are my own.
