 |
Getting to grips with Winter in the Western IslesGetting through winter in Britain in general can be a long haul, but with the added weather conditions in the Western Isles, it can feel even longer. With the higher latitude, this means shorter days. Added to this, gales and rain can make it difficult to deal with. The lack of proper daylight can lead to a depressive disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As a result, the Highland and Islands have one of the highest suicide rates in Europe. One of the ways to deal with this condition, without emigrating to Australia, is to get special lights. These have full-spectrum daylight and research has shown that even 30 minutes a day with these lights can help lift the Winter Blues. Boost the Immune SystemNo matter where you live, winter can put pressure on the immune system, especially if you work in an enclosed environment with a large number of people spreading their germs about.The first line of defense is the old mantra of eating healthily, plenty of greens and fruits, exercise, quit smoking and moderate alcohol. In fact, alcohol to excess in wintertime particularly will not only compromise your immune system but being a depressant, will make the Winter Blues worse. The next thing - get plenty of fresh air. Our modern centrally heated, double glazed windows retains the heat and saves on energy, but it also means that stale air just recirculates. When the weather permits, turn off the heating for a while and open the windows and let the fresh air in. Stress - learn to relax! Take up meditation, get exercise, do something you enjoy! Take time out to walk along the beautiful, empty beaches in the Western Isles. Meditation is a simple activity to learn and it's been proven scientifically to reduce blood pressure. There is currently a small meditation group meeting up 7:30pm - 9:00pm Tuesday evenings. The methods used are from the Buddhist tradition, but there is no need to be a Buddhist or any religion to benefit from the meditation. For more information, contact us using the Contact form. A good preventative supplement to take is called Echinacea. This herb has been shown to help boost the immune system. There is a particularly efficacious product I have used which is made by Neways called Echinacea Formula. This particular formulation has in it, in addition to the Echinacea, other herbs that may be helpful for your immune system and boosting energy levels: rosemary leaf, hyssop, thyme, Asian ginseng root, hawthorne berry, Irish moss, and mullein leaf. If you have an autoimmune disorder, Echinacea should not be used though as it could bring on an exacerbation of your condition. If you would like to know how to get a hold of the Echinacea Formula, click on the link below. To order Echinacea Formula, click here...
One condition that I have acquired since moving up here is arthritis. I am in my mid-40's and I am of the age it can manifest. Little did I know that doing certain things will bring it on quicker. I made the BIG mistake of not keeping my hands and feet warm and dry the first winter I was up here. As I live on a croft with animals, I spend quite a bit of time outdoors. I have to muck out the stables in all weathers. I didn't wear working gloves and my socks weren't thick enough. I now wear thermal working gloves, easily obtainable from Lewis Crofters or the Stornoway Fishermen's Co-op . I also have discovered fleecy stockings for wellingtons. These look just like the Christmas stockings hung over the fireplace - but they are a godsend! There are supplements you can take which may help support your joints, such as Cetyl Mobility which has essential minerals, fatty esters and cetyl myristoleate. Helpful information on Arthritis
|
