2014 NFL offseason workout schedule

Ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder? As we move from summer into fall and winter, some people get depressed or SAD – in fact, 36 million Americans suffer from it. (There’s also summer-onset SAD, but we won’t discuss that here.) Researchers haven’t pinpointed the cause of SAD, but it’s likely that the reduced sunlight levels disrupt your internal clock as well as serotonin and melatonin, hormones which can affect your sleep levels. And even if you don’t have SAD, many of us suffer from the winter blues. Luckily, there are ways you can stay happy-go-lucky all year long. 1. See a doctor. It’s easy to feel down in the winter and self-diagnose yourself with SAD. But if you do have it and leave it untreated by medical professionals, you leave yourself more at risk for complications like suicidal thoughts and are more at risk for dangerous behavior like alcohol abuse. All our suggestions will help beat the winter blues – but if you really think you have SAD, you need to see a doctor.This is especially true if you think you might need antidepressants. A doctor will also likely recommend therapy (either light or talk). 2. Get light therapy. One of the most common treatments for SAD is looking at a light box, which mimics natural light. You look at the box for 15 – 30 minutes each morning to help wake up and reduce SAD symptoms. You should talk to your doctor before getting a light box, since they’re not regulated by the FDA. He/she will likely recommend one with at least 10,000 lux. Keep in mind that most of these are not covered by insurance and can run you upwards of $100. 3. Exercise. When you exercise, you naturally release endorphins which boost your mood. So it’s crucial to keep up with your workout routine as the temperatures drop. Figure out a way to make sure you keep hitting the gym now – whether it’s by signing up for a  or making a standing date with a friend. Why not try one of these fall ? 4. Schedule social events. It’s tempting to binge-watch Netflixwhen it’s below zero outside. But staying social is essential to warding off symptoms of depression. If you already have a standing social event, don’t let the cold weather become an excuse to let it slide – it’s important to keep up with your routines. Why not come up with a cold-weather bucket list you can check off with friends, family and loved ones? 5. Eat right. Some researchers believe that low levels of vitamin D, which you get from sunlight, also help contribute to SAD symptoms. So eat some vitamin-D rich foods like mushrooms or canned tuna. And while the occasional comfort food is OK, feasting on them all the time may cause highs and dips in your blood pressure that mess with your mood. Try instead. 6. Go outside. Staying inside for days on end is just going to give you cabin fever. So try to get as much fresh air and sunlight as you can. That means opening your curtains in the morning to get sunlight and going outside for at least 5 minutes each day. Even a morning walkaround the block can do wonders for your mood. 7. Plan a trip. It might be cold where you are – but that’s not true for the rest of the world! Try planning a trip to a warm, sunny location. It’ll give you something to look forward to, a well-deserved break while you’re there, and a recent memory of summer to look back on when you’re not sure you can take another minute more of winter. 8. Redecorate. Inevitably, you’ll spend more time indoors during the winter – so why not make the most of it? Redecorating will keep you busy, get your mind off your depression and declutter. All of these are great for your SAD symptoms. Why not get some ? 9. Set a sleep schedule. One of the most common ways SAD can mess with your lifestyle is by disrupting your sleep schedule. When it’s dark outside, it’s much harder to get out of bed in the morning – and so you begin a cycle of sleeping too late, getting even less sunlight and getting more depressed. Avoid this by setting up a sleep schedule andsticking to it (yes, even on the weekends!) Following a and routine will help. Liked this? Check out ! Written by

Ever heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder? As we move from summer into fall and winter, some people get depressed or SAD – in fact, 36 million Americans suffer from it. (There’s also summer-onset SAD, but we won’t discuss that here.) Researchers haven’t pinpointed the cause of SAD, but it’s likely that the reduced sunlight levels disrupt your internal clock as well as serotonin and melatonin, hormones which can affect your sleep levels. And even if you don’t have SAD, many of us suffer from the winter blues. Luckily, there are ways you can stay happy-go-lucky all year long. 1. See a doctor. It’s easy to feel down in the winter and self-diagnose yourself with SAD. But if you do have it and leave it untreated by medical professionals, you leave yourself more at risk for complications like suicidal thoughts and are more at risk for dangerous behavior like alcohol abuse. All our suggestions will help beat the winter blues – but if you really think you have SAD, you need to see a doctor.This is especially true if you think you might need antidepressants. A doctor will also likely recommend therapy (either light or talk). 2. Get light therapy. One of the most common treatments for SAD is looking at a light box, which mimics natural light. You look at the box for 15 – 30 minutes each morning to help wake up and reduce SAD symptoms. You should talk to your doctor before getting a light box, since they’re not regulated by the FDA. He/she will likely recommend one with at least 10,000 lux. Keep in mind that most of these are not covered by insurance and can run you upwards of $100. 3. Exercise. When you exercise, you naturally release endorphins which boost your mood. So it’s crucial to keep up with your workout routine as the temperatures drop. Figure out a way to make sure you keep hitting the gym now – whether it’s by signing up for a  or making a standing date with a friend. Why not try one of these fall ? 4. Schedule social events. It’s tempting to binge-watch Netflixwhen it’s below zero outside. But staying social is essential to warding off symptoms of depression. If you already have a standing social event, don’t let the cold weather become an excuse to let it slide – it’s important to keep up with your routines. Why not come up with a cold-weather bucket list you can check off with friends, family and loved ones? 5. Eat right. Some researchers believe that low levels of vitamin D, which you get from sunlight, also help contribute to SAD symptoms. So eat some vitamin-D rich foods like mushrooms or canned tuna. And while the occasional comfort food is OK, feasting on them all the time may cause highs and dips in your blood pressure that mess with your mood. Try instead. 6. Go outside. Staying inside for days on end is just going to give you cabin fever. So try to get as much fresh air and sunlight as you can. That means opening your curtains in the morning to get sunlight and going outside for at least 5 minutes each day. Even a morning walkaround the block can do wonders for your mood. 7. Plan a trip. It might be cold where you are – but that’s not true for the rest of the world! Try planning a trip to a warm, sunny location. It’ll give you something to look forward to, a well-deserved break while you’re there, and a recent memory of summer to look back on when you’re not sure you can take another minute more of winter. 8. Redecorate. Inevitably, you’ll spend more time indoors during the winter – so why not make the most of it? Redecorating will keep you busy, get your mind off your depression and declutter. All of these are great for your SAD symptoms. Why not get some ? 9. Set a sleep schedule. One of the most common ways SAD can mess with your lifestyle is by disrupting your sleep schedule. When it’s dark outside, it’s much harder to get out of bed in the morning – and so you begin a cycle of sleeping too late, getting even less sunlight and getting more depressed. Avoid this by setting up a sleep schedule andsticking to it (yes, even on the weekends!) Following a and routine will help. Liked this? Check out ! Written by

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