Pubblicato il 23 September 2022
Natural ways to stay healthy during season change
With the arrival of the cold season, our mental and physical well-being can be challenged. Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures can lead to a sense of depression and general discomfort, which is described as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Let’s explore what it is, as well as the best natural remedies to address the season change.
Seasonal affective disorder: causes, symptoms, and distribution
The climatic and environmental fluctuations associated with the change of seasons can have a negative impact on the body, resulting in both physical and psychological discomfort. Among the first to study this type of disorder was psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, who coined the term Seasonal Affective Disorder in 1984. The causes of this depressive state are not entirely clear. According to researchers, the origin of the disorder could be traced to the link between the production of hormones and the exposition to sunlight. People with SAD may exhibit reduced production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. Since sunlight helps regulate serotonin levels, this would explain the connection between malaise and seasonal change. Other findings, however, suggest that people with SAD produce too much melatonin, a hormone that is critical to maintaining the normal sleep-wake cycle. Whatever the causes, the seasonal affective disorder is characterized by recurring symptoms:- anxiety and changes in mood;
- lethargy (or, alternatively, insomnia);
- alterations in appetite and weight gain;
- muscle rigidity and headache;
- difficulty in concentration;
- gastro-intestinal disorders, particularly gastritis, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome.
How to recover your well-being during season change
To counteract the symptoms associated with the season change, you need to take care of your body and mind, adjusting habits and rhythms to the new conditions. First of all, it is necessary to follow a proper diet rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables, practice regular physical activity, and spend as much time as possible outdoors, to make the most of the daylight hours. Where ailments are more severe and require professional help, psychotherapy and specific medication may be recommended.Natural extracts for the change of season
Nature also offers us many remedies for the change of season. Here are some useful extracts to deal with a drop in energy and motivation, mood swings, and the first seasonal ailments:- adaptogens such as Ginseng and Maca, with tonic properties to counteract physical and mental fatigue;
- EkinACT®, the mountain Echinacea extract registered by EPO to support the body’s natural defenses;
- Schisandra, a plant traditionally used in Chinese medicine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve physical and mental performance;
- Lavender, rich in polyphenols, is traditionally used to promote natural relaxation, sleep in cases of stress, and also to improve mood;
- BlueCALM®, our dry extract of Scutellaria lateriflora L. with anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia activity; in vitro studies have shown that it inhibits the release of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone”.