HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-01-07, Page 2The arrival of the New Year
brings with it many things besides
just a turn of the calendar. A time
for reflection, resolutions and
looking forward, the New Year
represents a clean slate, one many
will welcome after a rather
tumultuous 2009.
Another image the New Year
invokes is that of winter weather,
replete with its short days and
snowstorms. While the official
arrival of winter is 10 days before
the turn of the calendar, for many
the unofficial start of the coldest
season is when the holiday season
ends and the new calendar year
begins.
Though winter has its
afficionados, for many people
winter can be a difficult time of
year, one characterized by feelings
of depression and indifference.
For those who find themselves
with those feelings each year,
the cause could be a condition
known as Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), which most
commonly begins to occur during
late fall, extending into the winter
months.
In fact, many simply assume the
symptoms of SAD are the "winter
blues," a common misconception
that could be masking a larger issue.
However, understanding and
recognizing SAD could be the first
step for those looking to have a
more enjoyable winter.
What is SAD?
SAD is a type of depression that
is cyclic, affecting a person during
the same season each year. The
symptoms of SAD will arrive and
go away at the same time each year.
As mentioned earlier, the
majority of people who suffer from
SAD will begin to experience
symptoms in late fall, and those
symptoms will continue through the
winter months.
What are the Symptoms of
SAD?
Symptoms of SAD often start out
mildly and become more severe as
the season progresses. Those
symptoms can include:
* Feelings of sadness
* Anxiety
* Withdrawal from social
activities and situations
* Loss of interest in usual
activities
* Feelings of hopelessness
* Oversleeping
* Weight gain
* Difficulty concentrating
* Craving of carbohydrates, such
as bread and pasta
While SAD is most common in
late fall and early winter, it can also
occur in spring and summer. This is
called summer-onset seasonal
affective disorder.
Symptoms of this type of SAD
are, in some cases, the opposite of
winter seasonal affective disorder.
* Irritability
* Insomnia
* Weight loss
* Poor appetite
What Causes SAD?
It is still uncertain as to the
specific causes of SAD. Experts,
however, have theorized that lack of
sunlight might be a contributing
factor. A reduction in sunlight can
cause a drop in serotonin, a
neurotransmitter in the brain that
influences mood, appetite, sleep,
and a host of other behaviours.
An imbalance in serotonin is
believed to influence mood in a way
that leads to depression. That lends
credence to the theory that a lack of
sunlight and its subsequent
depletion of serotonin could be a
cause of SAD.
Changes in season can also
disrupt the balance of melatonin, a
natural hormone that plays a role in
sleep patterns and mood.
What are Risk Factors for
SAD?
According to the Mayo Clinic,
there are a handful of factors that
may increase a person’s risk of
SAD. Those include, but are not
limited to:
* Gender. Studies have shown
that SAD is more commonly
diagnosed among women than men.
However, the same research has
indicated that men often have more
severe symptoms.
* Geography. Where a person
lives is also a risk factor for SAD.
The further a person lives from the
equator, be it north or south, the
higher the risk factor for developing
SAD.
That’s likely due to the harsh
decrease in sunlight during the
winter months in areas far from the
equator.
* Family history. In general,
depression tends to run in families.
Because SAD is a type of
depression, family history can also
be a risk factor.
Are Treatment Options
Available?
First and foremost, persons
suspecting they or a loved one are
suffering from SAD should consult
a physician and get a diagnosis.
Persons diagnosed with SAD do
have treatment options available to
them, including light therapy and
medications.
PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010.
Happy New Year. It’s pretty
amazing, it’s really 2010.
Over the holiday time as we chat
with family and friends, the passage
of time is one of those things that is,
just there. It’s often not mentioned,
but as stories unfold or events are
recalled, years and numbers areimplied. The rate of a child’s growthand development is often used to dothe reality check – oh yes that wasthe year that she was born andlooking at the child you know thattime has moved along.And now we’re 10 years past thenew millennium, well into the 21stcentury. Here comes 2010 with allthe surprises that a year may
bring.
Blessings have been abundant all
around us. Family time was
celebrated at many homes. Phone
calls, email and Skype kept others
connected over the holiday period.
Everyone seems to have a nice time
– aren’t we blessed.
While the rest of us overindulged,three special ladies kept the hospitalstaff in London company.Communication with Mary Bone,Sheila Richards and Edna Pearsonlet us know that ill health does notaffect the wonderful women that weall know and love. Keep up the goodwork ladies.So our job, as these great ladieschallenge the health people, is to
think about them and how they
handle life every day. Then do our
very best to keep their good
examples going in our community.
When you think of pleasant, kind,
considerate and sincere Mary, Sheila
and Edna hit the mark and now we
need to do a better job in that
department.Overcast skies kept us fromenjoying the full moon of NewYear’s Eve, but being the second oneof the month, still made it special.The festivities are over, thecompany has departed, thedecorations are starting to comedown and life is coming around.Rather than let it get you down, viewthese next few weeks as a chance to
invite company for leftovers and find
the thrill of getting the dust bunnies
in a row. If that doesn’t work call a
friend and have a good chat or go for
a walk. Share the time no matter
how.
Celebrate winter.
Bye now, Betty G.W.
By Jo-Ann McDonald
Happy New Year! Comrades of
the Brussels Legion hope everyone
had a good time over the holidays
and are ready to head into the new
year with renewed enthusiasm.
The Branch was very quiet over
the holidays. The Bremner family
used the hall for their family
celebrations on Christmas Day.
The Branch was the host for the
Zone double darts competition on
the first Saturday of the year. There
was a smaller crowd of competitors
but a good day was had by all.
Helping out were Eric Ross and Deb
Cann.
The regular activities resume this
week. The Thursday night darts
welcome everyone back to the
boards at 8 p.m. Come out and have
some fun.
The Friday night suppers will be
back. A guest chef is on duty this
week and is keeping the menu a
secret. Whatever it will be it will be
good.
There are still a few members out
there who need to get in and pay
their dues for 2010. To continue to
be a member in good standing, dues
must be paid by Jan. 31.
There are still lots of community
calendars available around the town.
Keep up to date with what’s going
on around Brussels and area by
hanging a calendar in your home.
Pick up a calendar today. Proceeds
from the sale of the calendar are
going to the accessibility fund.
The winter blues might be serious
At the Branch
Quiet time at Brussels Legion
COMING EVENTS
at the
BRUSSELS LEGION
for January
Look for this ad the
first week of the month only.
Auditorium and small
meeting room available to rent.
Catering available.
Info and general inquiries
519-887-6562 or 519-887-6570
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9
Euchre tournament at 1:00 pm.
Bring your own partner.
Cash prizes. Lunch.
$5.00 per person. Door Prizes.
——————————
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10
Sunday Night Dance
from 7:00-11:00 p.m.
$10.00 per person.
Enjoy the Country Versatiles.
——————————
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
Come out and enjoy
wings, fries and meat draws
starting at 4:30.
——————————
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
Euchre tournament at 1:00 pm.
Bring your own partner.
Cash prizes. Lunch.
$5.00 per person. Door Prizes.
——————————
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
Melville Presbyterian Robbie
Burns Dinner and Dance.
Dinner at 6:30 pm. Tickets
available from members of
Presbyterian Church.
——————————
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
Sunday Night Dance
from 7:00-11:00 p.m.
$10.00 per person.
Enjoy the Randy Satchell Band.
—————————
TUESDAY, JANUARY 26
General meeting at 8:00 pm.
—————————
CAFÉ
More than just a great sandwich!
Friday Night
5 pm - 7 pm
Jan. 8 ~ Stuffed Baked Salmon
~ Shakespeare Chicken Pot Pie
Jan. 15 ~ Rolled Ribs & Dressing
~ Lasagna
Jan. 22 ~ Chicken Cordon Bleu
~ Hot Roast Beef
Jan. 29 ~ Prime Rib
~ Hot Turkey
Appearing Live
in the Upper Deck
on May 21
MORGAN DAVIS
2004 Juno Blues
Award Winner
Maple Blues
Award Winner
401 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-8011
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR GROUPS
Watch for our special
Valentine’s
Dinner
NEWS
FROM BRUSSELS
By BettyGraberWatsonCall 887-6236887-9231A NOTE FROM BETTY
It’s like shopping with the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s dietitians, who
evaluate every participating product based on Canada’s Food Guide.
www.healthcheck.org
Beat the
temptation.
TOLL-FREE
1-877-513-5333