It’s official – the days are getting longer. About two minutes per day to be exact.
The winter solstice has been and gone, and we got through the End of Financial Year. We are now getting around Q3, and the sweet smell of spring is in the air. So, now seems a great time to pause and reflect.
Over the past nine months New Year’s resolutions have been made, and in many cases, definitely broken. Throughout the year, we have written many Wellness Matters articles that have covered a wide range of topics. Some may have resonated and perhaps, got us thinking about how to better ourselves.
I find that spring is a perfect time to reflect on the year that seems to have whizzed past and do a little stocktake:
- What goals did you set?
- Which did you achieve?
- Which changed direction or are no longer applicable?
- Do you have any new goals?
Nothing is ever set in stone and our goals may move dynamically with what happens around us, so updating your list allows you to be more realistic about what you can achieve. If you have crossed some things off the list already, can you push yourself even further?
As the days are getting a (little) longer and the promise of sunshine peeks through the windows (for those of us in the more southern states), we are reminded that sunshine is a wonderful tonic that can just make everyone a little bit happier. Our vitamin D levels can drop dramatically over the colder months, and the weather can make bouts of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) more common. Although there are still levels of skepticism around the validity of SAD, there is definitely a case to be made that moods can make us more susceptible to downturns when our melatonin levels vary.
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced by our brains that helps regulate sleep. It also signals our body when our circadian rhythm anticipates the best time to turn in. The change in light between winter and summer can cue earlier signals to be sent, which can put us out of our natural rhythm and create sleep disturbances. This imbalance can have side effects such as low-level depression and insomnia.
While there are supplements you can take, there are some foods that are naturally high in melatonin. Corn, broccoli, rolled oats and walnuts are all great melatonin foods.
Other minerals and amino acids found in foods are also beneficial to getting good sleep. Dairy products and seafood are high in tryptophan, and leafy greens and bananas are full of magnesium. This is just a starting point for you to mix and match your flavour preferences for the best sleep and balanced diet. So, kick the SADs and welcome the sunshine back!
