HNA column
By Molly Scott and Angela Douglas
The Desire to Hibernate Embracing the spirit of friluftsliv
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ere we are, knee deep in winter. The consensus is most people do not like winter. For many people it is not a simple issue of not liking winter, it can mean the onset of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression that can alter moods and behaviors contributing to oversleeping, overeating and social withdrawal (add this to a year with a pandemic, and it’s a lot to manage). It is important to talk with your medical provider regarding SAD, especially if it affects your daily tasks. SAD or not, there are ways to better cope with the cold and gray days of winter. All of this winter talk makes us want to hibernate, but should we? Let’s look to nature to find out what it means to hibernate. In central Ohio, there are only three “true hibernators;” the groundhog, ground squirrels and bats. These mammals sleep so deeply their heart rates drop drastically, as to conserve energy. Other animals we think of as hibernators, such
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as bears, actually enter into torpor. Torpor is a temporary drop in body temperature and metabolic rate that decreases physical activity for a day or several days, in order to survive without food. As humans, we have evolved to not need hibernation or torpor. First, we generally have enough access to food; second, we can tolerate extreme temperatures. There are winter days we may feel like we could sleep for three days or three months, but our bodies are made to be awake and active in all weather. That doesn’t mean we need to like it – maybe we can learn to appreciate the winter season and possibly even find a little joy. Getting outside and connecting with nature can have significant health and wellness benefits. Nature confers considerable health benefits and offers promise both as prevention and as treatment across the life course. Some of the many health benefits that are associated with time spent in nature include:
www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
