With temps this morning in the 30s (F), it sure felt like Old Man Winter arrived today. Supposed to get nicer as the week goes along, but for now... brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Low temps & high winds.
Although it is bright & sunny out today, yesterday was grey, glum & wet. Dismal weather, whatever your age, but especially depressing for my older friends.
After turning back the clock last night, will be especially vigilant over the next few weeks with grannie clients, who often get blitzed by the blues due to shorter days.
Today, darkness will start setting in at 4:30 p.m.!
Older folks typically sleep later in the day, so picking up the extra hour at the front end will go unnoticed. But the abbreviated afternoon? That registers, and not in a good way.
There's actually a name for how oldsters can feel when the dark days of winter arrive - Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. It is most prevalent when the clocks are first turned back, after the holidays are over, and in February (the bowels of winter).
Can understand that it hits folks up North more than down South (their sunshine is stronger & more constant than Yankee light), but why does it hit women more then men?
It can become a terrible cycle, as low energy, sense of lethargy & tiredness easily turns into a sense of dissatisfaction then malaise & finally depression. While the good news is that SAD is a seasonal disorder, it can make the darker months feel like an eternity.
The best treatment? The most important thing is for others to be aware of the problem. I could suggest getting olders OUT as much as possible, but that wasn't an option with my own Mom, who didn't venture out whenever there was a danger of an ice patch.
The best holistic preventive care treatment is to make sure an older friend or loved one has plenty of natural light in their home or apartment. Mom didn't get out much in the cold weather, but every room in her house had a window with light streaming in & a view of the outdoors.
Being in a well-lit home isn't the same as experiencing the sun's natural rays. Having a lot of windows in her house made a serious difference in Mom's sense of well being. Getting them OUT into nature - often, for long periods - is ideal, but not always possible. Light treatment is another route to consider, in consultation with the oldster's physician. Apparently, it's the closest thing to the real deal.
Making an extra effort to connect with a oldster in jeopardy of developing SAD can go a long way to head it off at the pass. There's a reason why people say, "Just seeing you brightens my day!" Emotionally, it does!
Being active seems to go a long ways to holding off SAD. Even light activity - a daylight walk around the neighborhood, doing stretching exercises, breath work - can make a difference.
Check out laughter yoga & laughter wellness exercises - adapted for oldsters, they can deliver a major payback!
Again, the #1 tip I can share from my personal experience is for loved ones, friends & caregivers to be proactive. It can feel time consuming, but heading off Seasonal Affective Disorder from digging its roots deep into an olderster's heart & mind can stave off heartache for them & others.
If they enjoy your company, make an effort to spend more time with them. Take recent family photos or vintage snap shots for their comments. If they have indoor interests, help get them connected. Put together lunches or coffee dates with friends. Feel & show genuine interest in THEM - that's usually the best preventive measure of all.
Feels like Old Man Winter blew in this morning - there's no reason he should feel any sort of welcome. Realize that his arrival kicks off the start of SAD season - do what you can to help your older friends & loved ones get through the grey, often bleak months of Nov-March with as much zip & energy as possible!
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