The Winter Wall

Many long distance runners will reference "The Wall." Hitting this Wall basically means running out of energy. Well, I have hit Winter's icy wall. This time of year many of us notice tiredness, a bit of weight gain, difficulty getting out of bed and bouts of "the blues." The holiday cheer is over and for some reason February feels like the longest month of the year.

Referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder, some treatments include using a light box, exercise and supplementation. In severe cases medication is necessary. Last year, researchers from Norway reported that regular and long-term intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich cod liver oil may protect people from symptoms of depression. They help nerve cells communicate with each other, which is an essential step in maintaining good mental health. Other studies suggest that diets supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids can enhance the activity of serotonin and dopamine pathways in the brain.

Unfortunately, for those of us ready for spring, the groundhog saw his shadow this year...still 6 week of winter to go!

-Community Assistant