Amenakin offers tips on how to stay well-adjusted and positive – it starts with treating your body well.
Image: SXC
As winter draws to a close, many people are breathing a sigh of relief in anticipation of warmer and brighter days of spring.
People are generally happier in spring and summer – that’s easy to observe when you compare human behaviour during dull autumn days to bright summer afternoons. Having an ardent love for cosy winters, I never quite understood the reason for this behavioural change. That was until I discovered that one’s mood could actually be biologically affected by the amount of light one gets.
Excuse me for a moment whilst I indulge the science geek in me.
Humans perceive light both consciously and subconsciously. As such, one method of waking up more easily in the morning is to allow some natural daylight into your room so that the brain perceives the light and you slowly come out of a deeper slumber. Even subconsciously, humans are very sensitive to light changes. In the same way, the lack of exposure to daylight in the winter months can have an effect on our hormones and, therefore, our moods. Some individuals are more sensitive to these changes than others.[i] What peculiar creatures we are, subhaan’Allah!
I remember watching an interior decorating show where the decorator talked about how a dim, single light bulb in a room is likely to “bring down” the mood of the occupant, and that light can be used strategically to affect mood. No wonder retail stores spend so much on hiring professionals to design the stores, including the lighting – after all, a happy shopper is a bigger spender.
This was fascinating for me both as a science buff and as someone who has suffered from depression in the past. Of course mental illness is a complex topic, and not everyone who feels sad is necessarily depressed, but certainly there are overlaps in varying degrees.
But what if some of the causes or catalysts for our down periods could be pre-determined, and thus controlled before a situation spins out of control? Feeling sad once in a while is perfectly normal and healthy – it instills in us sensitivity and empathy towards other living beings. But when this feeling becomes a long-term state, it destabilises one’s well-being and, as a consequence, can negatively impact one’s emotional, mental or physical state.
Fortunately, most people never enter a depressive state but instead experience fluctuations in moods that leave one feeling sad sometimes. Here I offer some tips on keeping positive and avoiding the sad slumps:
1. Exercise
Exercising stimulates the brain to release endorphins and neurotransmitters like adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin – in other words, stuff that will make you feel good. These brain chemicals also help to regulate your emotions and the best part is that your body produces them naturally if stimulated by something as simple as exercise.
2. Fresh air
Don’t stay cooped up if you’re feeling down. Get yourself into the open outdoors where you can breathe in fresh air and, as a bonus, gaze upon the naturally soothing sights of nature. Repeatedly, in the Qur’an, Allah (Great and Glorious is He) asks us to look to nature to find His Signs. Although we may not realise the benefits at that moment, trust that He has recommended tafakkur (deep reflection) upon His Signs – nature being a major one – for our own good. Try reciting Qur’an outdoors as opposed to indoors (weather permitting) and you will feel the difference.
3. Eat well
Most people enjoy indulging in junk food once in a while, but making a habit of it will undoubtedly affect your physical well-being. As the saying goes, “your body is your temple”. A diet plentiful in fresh fruit, vegetables, water and vitamins will ensure that your “temple” is looked after well and it will, in turn, respond positively.
4. Sleep
“Early to bed, early to rise” is a statement full of wisdom. Adults need around 8 hours of sleep a night, while children need a couple more extra hours. A healthy sleeping pattern will ensure that you feel better both physically and mentally. Not only do very late nights make it harder for you to wake up for faj’r prayer, research has shown that people who sleep late and wake up early have increased levels of tiredness. Not getting sufficient sleep also negatively impacts our mood.[ii]
5. Good company
Nothing beats the company of a person or people who have a positive effect on your mood. Whether it’s hanging out with family or a good friend, being around people can sometimes really lift your spirits, especially if you are feeling alone or isolated. Relaxing and socialising will revive your mood and give you a much needed break from a busy schedule. One of the first recommendations I give to new mothers is to have company (even if it’s having your husband around) and try not to be alone too much after giving birth when there is a risk of developing “baby blues”.
[i] Martin Downs MPH, ‘Winter Darkness, Season Depression’, WebMD, available here
[ii] Healthy Sleep, a resource from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and WGBH Educational Foundation, available here
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