Beating the Winter Blues with Hypnotherapy
Silvana Forlini, MC
Counsellor & Psychotherapist
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Winter can be a very difficult time for many. Whether it’s the dark mornings and evenings, looking after sick children, fighting low temperatures, or spending too much time indoors, it seems like winter is the season when many people feel “blue”.
“Winter blues” is a very common phenomenon which affects 1 in 3 Australians during the coldest month of the year. The most common symptoms of this seasonal phenomenon are feeling lethargic and tired, experiencing low mood, feeling sad or less interested in activities we usually enjoy, overeating, craving for carbohydrates and weight gain. But why is it called “winter blues”?
The term was first used by Dr. Rosenthal in 1984, as he observed his own experience with depression during the dark days in the US winter, the polar night. The polar night is when nights last for 24 hours, with just a glimpse of a blue twilight. Hence, winter blues!
Lack of sunlight during dark winter days “tricks” your body into believing it’s night-time, causing lethargy and symptoms of depression. Lack of sunlight affects the production of melatonin (which regulates sleep), and serotonin (which regulates appetite and memory, mood, and helps us feel motivated and enthusiastic).
Hypnotherapy assists with symptoms of anxiety and depression, by stimulating the production of serotonin. During hypnosis you can reframe negative thoughts and feelings and replace them with more helpful and relaxed ways of thinking. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind experienced by everyone throughout the day. In this state of “flow”, openness and learning are likely to occur. During the hypnotherapy session we utilize that state of flow in the direction of growth to produce long term changes.
So, what can we do to beat winter blues?
➢ Consult a clinical hypnotherapist.
➢ Exercise, walk or get moving for 20 minutes a day.
➢ Watch a funny movie; laughter counteracts depressive mood.
➢ Sit in the sun for 15 minutes, even when it is cloudy.
➢ Call a friend and organize a social catch up.
Book with me your 15-minute free phone consultation to see how you can benefit from hypnotherapy now.
You can make an appointment either online or by calling our friendly reception staff on (08) 7231 1628.