July 2005

WhyWeight - Winter Blues.............!

Hello Everyone

Welcome to our new subscribers, and thank-you to those of you who are sharing the newsletter with your family and friends, and introducing new subscribers.

If you are feeling blue from the shorter, colder days... you share this feeling with many others. In fact scientists now acknowledge that the ‘Winter Blues’ or SAD otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, is very real and affects about
10 million people per year. Whilst the effects are less severe in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly South Africa, nevertheless people do suffer from feeling depressed, off balance, and struggle to be productive and positive in their normal working environment during the course of Winter.

The following symptoms have been noted from people suffering from the
‘Winter Blues’ or SAD:

• lack of energy
• feeling sleepy all the time
• trouble concentrating on even the simplest tasks
• craving certain foods, especially carbohydrates 
• overindulgence of foods with a high sugar content
• weight gain
• loss of libido

If you are feeling any of the above symptoms during this time of Winter, yet you seldom suffer the same or similar feelings at other times of the year, especially during Spring and Summer, then the season of Winter could influence how you are feeling at this time. If you are feeling especially bleak and you suffer from depression even mild depression, please consult your health care practitioner and get the help you need.

If you find that you lack normal concentration, feel sleepy and just slightly listless, crave foods that are unusual for you to want, yet feel generally healthy, although less productive at work and at home, you are probably feeling the influence of the seasonal effects of Winter.

Winter is a time to take extra special care of your body, to protect it from Winter illness and to recuperate from the frantic pace of Summer activities. Winter is also the time of reflection and introspective contemplation. It’s time to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and resolve those inner conflicts. It’s also a good time to take care of unfinished business, complete overdue projects, and review that ‘To Do’ list.

During the course of the last few weeks I have been writing and compiling a ‘Seasonal Living’ program for the WhyWeight website and Subscribers, with special consideration to this time of Winter.

As I have written the articles for the Winter Body Power and Winter Mental Energy, I have found a better understanding of how the seasons influence my life and especially my body. As I have written each word and created the graphics to compliment the words.... for the very first time I have began to appreciate what Winter actually is, how much this time means to me and how important this time is to my happiness and continual well-being. Whilst, I am easygoing and enthusiastic especially in the Summer and even on the hottest days.... Winter is a time of quiet contemplation and inner celebration for me.

Learning to live in harmony and balance with what each season represents and provides will enhance you Body Power, create more vitality, increase Mental Energy and help you better understand your emotions and connect with your Spiritual Essence!

the season of Winter....  

in Ancient Chinese traditions Winter is linked with the element of Water,
and is believed to be almost entirely Yin
- being predominantly a time to conserve energy!

Winter is the Season of Reflection
... a time of contemplation and introspection
.....inner clearing and personal growth!

Nature’s energy goes within and so the trees loose their leaves and plants seem dormant. Their is still growth however, although the growth occurs below the earth’s surface and within the trees and plants.

This is a time of personal reflection and consideration. A time to contemplate what’s important and to simplify life by re-evaluating your priorities. To let go of the mundane and clear those things that cause chaos and angst to your personal well-being.

It’s a time to stay home and enjoy hot bubble baths.
A time to snuggle up under a duvet and read those books you want to.

A time for Rest, Relaxation and Recuperation....  

Winter - Body Power
Winter is the time for our body’s to Recuperate from the frantic pace of summer activities. It’s time to slow down, rest and relax and allow our body the time it needs to recuperate. Choosing foods that enable our body to rest and build up our energy reserves is of particular importance. It also means incorporating foods into our diet that build our immune system for protection against winter illness. As the Winter Equinox approaches, the days (day light hours) become shorter, and the night (darkness hours) become longer. [ Read More Winter - Body Power ]

Winter - Mental Energy
Winter is a time of Reflection and Introspective Contemplation. It’s time to go within and seek truth and clear our minds of doubt and those things that trouble and concern us. It’s time to embrace the darker side of our nature with truth and courage and realise that our weakness is only the vulnerable side of our greatest strength. [ Read More Winter Mental Energy ]

I hope you enjoy this months articles and I look forward to hearing from you.

To the best in you and body you deserve and desire!
Love and Laughter to You and Yours
Mands

Email: [ Mands ]
Website: www.WhyWeight.co.za

You can submit you own experiences to be published by sending your story to
[ Mands ] with the subject line “Reach Out”, please include whether you would like your name and/or contact details (email & website address with active links) published with your story, or whether you would like to use just your first name, pseudonym or an alias.

Colour Fun Menu  
I am compiling a ‘Colour Fun Menu’ for the website and would love your feedback and input. If you would like to join in and contribute to our ‘Colour Fun Menu’ - please copy and paste the following colours into an email and add your comments and feelings.

Example:
‘Colour - Your Feeling/Emotion - Comments/Ideas’
‘Blue - Serenity - Blue Collar Worker/Service’
‘Red - Anger - Red Traffic Light/Beware Stop’ 

List of Colours:  
White, Beige, Pink, Magenta, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple, Indigo, Brown, Grey, Black! Copy and paste the list of colours above into an email including your feedback and comments and email to [ Mands ] with the subject line ‘Colour Fun Menu’! If you would like to submit any additional information or articles to be published on our ‘Colour Fun Menu’ please include your details and email any website links to be included.

Feedback from [ June 2005 ]:

• Hi Mands, How wonderful to get some news again, and thanx for sharing your highs & lows as well as your solutions and suggestions. Yes, you are so right - focusing on the negatives does definitely attract them & so enhance them, and focusing on the positives increases them - so because we all do have a choice, why not choose the positive instead of supporting the negative - I totally agree & I'm sure many will find this useful.
  
  Also, I think an absolute must that we love ourselves as we are.
  Take care & much love to you all,
  Dale
   
• Dear Mands, Great inspiring newsletter.  It is something I hope to take with me on my holiday.  Breathe, drink a glass of water, healthy snack and DO something moving.  Love and blessings Laina
   
• WOW the website looks incredible!

Thanks to all of you who sent me feedback and emails, I really do enjoy hearing from you. *Grin*

Inspiration emailed from Bevskins

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you anytime,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment.
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

.....Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

WAIT FOR IT!!

Have a fantasmagorical weekend!