Seasonal Depression

[dickiej]

From personal experience.....easy on the booze.....one winter, I thought it would help to hit the sauce all winter......made things worse (surprise!) go out doors as much as possible. Winter in New England is really extraordinarily beautiful.

[HomeWood]

I'm the opposite. My mood gets better in the fall and winter. I enjoy the colder weather, the holidays, and getting up to the lake for fishing and sledding.

I like summer activities but I hate the heat and it puts me in a horrible mood. NC summers are miserable.

[8gv]

I medicate with fried clams and ice cream sandwiches...

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by dickiej

From personal experience.....easy on the booze.....one winter, I thought it would help to hit the sauce all winter......made things worse (surprise!) go out doors as much as possible. Winter in New England is really extraordinarily beautiful.

I agree with getting outdoors. As painful as it is to get off the couch and leave the beautiful fire in the fireplace, a short period of time out in the sunlight and fresh air can make a big difference.

We asked for snowshoes for Christmas one year and have used them sporadically. We also ski and even if we get out for just a few runs, again, it makes a world of difference.

[Waterbaby]

Wish I could find the whole file on things I have read about it but here is a basic synopsis -- The majority of people in the Northern part of North America suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency due to the shorter days year round, not just in the winter, because of the distance from the equator. Vitamin D is needed by our bodies to help our bodies absorb not just calcium, but a lot of other minerals as well. Vitamin D deficiency has been proven to affect moods - the less there is in the body the lower the mood. Some people are more susceptible to it than others.

Basically, the only way to get sufficient Vitamin D is to be in the sun with minimal clothing (if any lol) for a minimum of something like 1/2 hour daily. That, or take a Vitamin D supplement on a daily basis -- in a large dose, as only 1/4 - 1/2 of a supplement pill is actually absorbed by the body, the rest going out in waste fluids. That, or eat many servings of the greens, etc, which contain natural Vitamin D (which can lead to other, um, problems.... shall we say......). Me? I'm going to try one of the "Happy Lights" and see how it works....... I'm generally in a good mood year round, but I will admit to feeling more "worn out" during the colder months/shorter days. I'll get back to you all on that one!

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Originally Posted by CateP

Go see a colorful, musical, theatre performance.
There just happens to be one going on in Wolfeboro this weekend at the Village Players.

Now there's a shameless plug!!

Originally Posted by jetlag100

When I was much younger, I noticed that I got that same way when fall came..so, when we built our house I put flourescent lighting under my kitchen cabinets and over my kitchen sink...now I know that it's not the fanciest lighting on the block, but, getting that bright light every morning, first thing, really helped....and still does

You could also try replacing your "regular" flourescent tubes with these full spectrum versions, if you have compatible fixtures. Full spectrum lights should give you better results.

[Overlake97]

From the American Psychological Association's website (apa.org):

http://www.apa.org/research/action/light.aspx

I'd also try clicking the more recent info from the National Institutes of Health (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science...-rhythms.shtml). These are both legitimate organizations, with good information about the topic. Once inside their websites, you can probably find lots of other information. If not, just Google "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) and see what comes up.

Bottom Line: "SAD" is a real affliction, and there is a very effective treatment for it: More light. But certain types work better than others, and certain times of day work better also. A few people have posted links to places you can purchase these lights, but I'd check with a behavioral psychologist for advice before doing so.

[wynndog]

I hear grow lights help alot. Might wanna try the new medical pot place opening up too.