Central California Alliance for Health | Living Healthy | December 2019

HEALTHY A newsletter for the members of Central California Alliance for Health Volume 25, Issue 4 DECEMBER 2019 Standard U.S. Postage PAID Merced, CA Permit No. 1186 Central California Alliance for Health 1600 Green Hills Road, Suite 101 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 Seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression, is a condition that usually occurs during the fall and winter. It is caused by the lack of sunlight due to the change in season. It can affect your mood and make you feel symptoms of sadness, low energy and loss of interest. Some natural ways to help treat SAD are: Exercise: By doing any sort of physical activity, you are able to release endorphins that can help you feel more positive. Get out and get moving! Socialize: Take time to be around friends and family. By being around loved ones and talking with them, you can keep your mind busy and have fun in a positive environment. Go outside: During fall and winter, there might not be much sunlight. However, if the weather allows, be sure to get outside to get some fresh air. Even without sunlight, breathing in the fresh air can make you feel better! Create a bedtime routine: Try to make your time for sleep peaceful and enjoyable. Try to go to sleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning. Don’t look at the television, computer or phone for a few hours before bed. The light from those screens can make it harder to fall asleep. For best results, try combining the things above. Get outside and get some exercise with your friends and family, for example. A hike in the woods, or even a simple walk down the street, is a great option! Important notice Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, a new law in California will give full scope Medi- Cal to young adults under the age of 26, and immigration status does not matter. To see if you are eligible, call: ❱  ❱ Merced County: 209-385-3000 ❱  ❱ Monterey County: 877-410-8823 ❱  ❱ Santa Cruz County: 888-421-8080

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