does anyone get "blue" this time of year??

psmd

For those that feel like you get depressed in the winter time, know that it's common even if you do not have seasonal affective disorder. If you don't want to see a psychiatrist, light therapy as some have mentioned is a decent alternative. I wouldn't say tanning is okay though, even though it kind of does the same thing but also with some negative effects. Try this website if you're interested, it's just one option: http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/

DawnDawn2011

I know how you feel, Christmas time can be really depressing! I lost my Mom and Dad when I was young, my brother and my grandma, so my biological family is gone. I married into a nice family, but my step daughter hates me and that is depressing, it sucks the fun out of Christmas!

dakitten2

Holidays are the worst for me. Sometimes we just ignore them as "holidays" and won't eat the traditional foods. We might have pizza for Thanksgiving, who knows?

Sometimes we take a cruise during the Christmas holidays to avoid all the "hype". But my life has been totally screwy and family for me are my partner and two fur babies and my Dad.

fit4mom

After my Aunt lost her husband after xmas in Feb. She delved into her family and giving. It really helped her. That first year was tough. It's really been amazing to see them grow through the process. I think there's something to giving and getting your mind off your situation.

mcjabber

I actually get super bummed in the summertime, which a therapist once told me was kind of strange. I'm much happier when it's cold and gloomy. That being said, living in Los Angeles, cold and gloomy isn't probably all that cold and gloomy, in the grand scheme of things. But when I get seasonally bummed, exercise definitely helps more than ice cream. Although I've been known to indulge in both.

fit4mom

I actually get super bummed in the summertime, which a therapist once told me was kind of strange. I'm much happier when it's cold and gloomy. That being said, living in Los Angeles, cold and gloomy isn't probably all that cold and gloomy, in the grand scheme of things. But when I get seasonally bummed, exercise definitely helps more than ice cream. Although I've been known to indulge in both.

Don't you love it when the head doctors think you top the cake on their weird list. I know I've probably made a few people question their choice of profession. LOL (probably not that bad but you know how it is when you get inside your own head.)

laurielie

I want to thank you all for your kind words. :flowerforyou:

DawnDawn2011

I always get depressed around the holidays, and this year I got a great book that I am really into. It is funny but a good book can really take your mind off your troubles. Watching comedy shows helps too. Trying to surround myself with positive people helps as well. I wish you luck!

VinVenture

If you're down in general over winter it's called winter depression. Which is actually surprisingly common, due to lack of sunlight (which your brain reacts to) and vitamin D (which your body gets out of sunlight). It got so bad that the Norwegian Army bought several day-light lamps and tanning beds to place in their camps up north (way, way up north) 'cause they don't even GET sunlight during winter. Complete darkness. So to keep people from getting dangerously depressed, they have mandatory tanning and daylight simulation.

I switch from my non-fat milk to a semi-skimmed one because they add vitamin D to it. That and make sure to stay outside when there is sunlight and keep a few extra lights on when there's definitive day-time at home. Winter can mess up your biological clock big-time if you have short days close to solstice.

Spruillie03

Try finding a winter activity that you enjoy. My depression used to get so bad in the winter months that I had to take anti-depressants... until I discovered snowboarding! I can only get out once a week, but it gives me something to look forward to each week, and it makes the winter months fly by. Before I know it, the season is over and I'm bummed when I have to put my board away.

katdouce

I don't get the blue's but I do get very tired and lazy...no get up and go!!! I tried Vit D and it wasn't doing anything for me...I talked to my pharmasist and he recommended Vit B complex 50....I'm on it now...been about a week so we will see if it makes a difference...I was thinking of getting one of those lamps too....It's all about the sun for me...I need it!!