Battle Seasonal Affective Disorder with a Spa Day at Levisage Wellness Center & Spa

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sufferers in the Snohomish, Washington area, a great way to battle the Winter Blues is with a day at Levisage Wellness Center & Spa! The curative results of a sauna, a massage or any number of other treatments will leave you feeling much better. With the amount of daylight decreasing every day until December 21st, get a head start on fighting the doldrums of the season!

Exactly what is SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is triggered by changing seasons. The most common season that triggers SAD is Winter, although some folks suffer from Summer, Spring and Autumn depression as well. It is estimated that up to 6% of Americans suffer from winter-onset depression. The symptoms of Winter-onset SAD are typical of depression:

• Noticeable change in appetite – some people crave high energy foods like carbohydrates or sugars as their body’s response to the decreased energy symptoms
• Decreased energy
• Fatigue
• Weight gain/loss
• Anxiety/Irritability
• Tendency to avoid social situations
• Extreme sensitivity to social rejection (real or imagined)

How Does Massage Help SAD?

Many available spa treatments can aid in the overall depression resulting from SAD, be aware, however that we in now way are supposing to replace medical treatment. Most spa treatments are to treat the symptoms of SAD, not the underlying issue. For example, lymphatic massage stimulates drainage of toxic build-up and stimulates your immune system. Additionally, taking a sauna on a regular basis can help remove toxins from your system as well. By scheduling (and following through) with at least one massage per week, however, can reap rewards that will help treat the underlying cause of SAD. While it is supposed that lack of sunlight is the trigger for SAD, other schools of thought believe it is diet related. It seems that countries that have diets consisting of large quantities of fish have a much lower incidence of SAD – talk about food for thought!

Specifically, massage can offer the following benefits to help allay the symptoms of SAD:

What Else Can I Do to Reduce the Effects of SAD?

Many sufferers of SAD seek relief through exposure to either bright white or green wavelength light for 30 minutes to 60 minutes a day. The key is to keep your eyes open during exposure, to process the light properly to reduce the symptoms of SAD. In severe cases, your physician may prescribe anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications. Again, Levisage Wellness Center & Spa offers adjunct treatment of the symptoms of SAD, but strongly advises that you visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition.