Combating S.A.D.

amelia_atlantic
amelia_atlantic Posts: 926 Member
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
To anyone that lives in the wintery "wonderland" that is New England, I'm sure you have felt the same way from time to time...

It's dark and gloomy ALL THE TIME. Snowstorms bring snow in FEET.
I'm having a hard time getting out of bed to make it to work on time. I'm exhausted constantly although I sleep at least 7 hours a day. I don't feel like exercising and I have no energy. I KNOW it's Seasonal Affective Disorder but I don't know how to deal with it!

Does anyone else feel this way? What do you do?

Replies

  • Jennplus2
    Jennplus2 Posts: 984 Member
    I am a Cali girl so no, I can't say that I know where you are coming from. But I do have days like that where I just dont want to do anything and I try to get extra sleep. Try going to bed at like 6pm, I know that sounds crazy but just give it a try. Sleep until you wake up (no alarms just wake when your body is done sleeping)
    My Dr told me to do that after my 2nd baby was born, when he was about 3 mths old. I was asleep for 14 hours! No joke.
    I told my friend to try, my girlfriend told me that it was just because I had a small baby and was not going to help her (single and baby free) but she slept 12 1/2 hours and felt great after!
    :flowerforyou:
  • jlewis2896
    jlewis2896 Posts: 763 Member
    Try snowshoeing -- its burns tons of calories and I just bring out my dog and my Ipod and can go for-e-ver. Getting outside also helps cheer me up. It gets dark so early here, so my husband and I got headlamps and go at night also, it's a great date. :)

    My mood is so affected by the weather, but exercise ALWAYS makes me feel better.
  • auntbliz
    auntbliz Posts: 173 Member
    I know some people are helped by going to those tanning beds. Sounds crazy to me, but I guess it makes sense. I have seen it help though.
  • amyalwaysonline6
    amyalwaysonline6 Posts: 101
    I never wake up with an alarm. I go to bed early and wake up whenever I wake up. I have never been so tired in my life. I just went to the dr. I have to go back in two weeks. I don't know if I have seasonal depression or some other kind, but I am certainly depressed and the rain and gloom only makes it worse. Maybe you should try talking to your doctor?
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I don't want to be a jerk here. But find SOMETHING active to do outside.

    I've spent more time outside this winter than previous years and it's definatly a big boost to my mood.

    Yes, it can be cold and wet, but that's part of the fun.
  • Romba
    Romba Posts: 164 Member
    My Dad has that and he says that when he is the happiest is when it is summertime and he is out doing things. I read up on it and it is the lack of Vitamin D (the sun). People who have that, or just anyone in general, are told to get at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight daily because it helps you produce seratonin (the happy hormone). Even if you dont feel like it, keep going and try your very very best to work out and get some sun. The hardest part is starting, but once you do I promise you will feel better.
  • JE55Y
    JE55Y Posts: 333 Member
    I don't feel depressed by the winter and the gloomy grey, but I feel very sluggish in the mornings when it's time to get ready for work.

    The bad weather and cold has made me not feel up for going to the gym. Maybe the answer is to think about how you will feel when you've lost weight and by being more active now (despite the weather) will help you acheive your goal.
  • dietingsucks
    dietingsucks Posts: 26
    I live in the north too and take a Vitamin D3 supplement in the winter...

    http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

    http://www.ehow.com/about_4691534_health-benefits-vitamin-d.html

    http://drbobsager.typepad.com/yhm/2009/07/vitamin-d3-benefits.html

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind

    Hope this helps!
  • amelia_atlantic
    amelia_atlantic Posts: 926 Member
    Thanks for all the great advice! I'm not usually all doom and gloom. I was pretty active up until 1.5 months ago. I hate feeling unmotivated and tired! It's not me at all!

    I forgot to mention that I'm stuck in a grey office cubicle from 8:30-6pm so I can't imagine that helps.

    I'm going to buy some Vitamin D tablets and try to walk outside on my breaks from work. Today is sunny so I'm going to try and soak some in!

    Thanks again :smile:
  • melissaovadare
    melissaovadare Posts: 191 Member
    Hello there...I am a Chicago girl (born and raised) and this happens to us here every winter. It has not been sunny here in over 2 wks. What I do is take my son out to the mall, or visit my friends when I can..I try to make the best of it even though it is not sunny! Find things to do in snowy weather...go sledding, make a snowman, find an ice skating rink, try to see that we get to do those fun things during the season that others don't!!!!!

    .....I put in white bulbs in the winter in my light fixtures (sounds weird) but the white casts great light in your house!

    I agree with Vit D for sure, I don't want to advocate tanning beds, but I do go to them during the winter!
  • dumbfox
    dumbfox Posts: 13
    I struggle with this too and it's nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to a lot more people than those that talk about it. I have found some relief from taking a vitamin D3 supplement twice a day and hoping it improves the longer I take it. It's hard to be active outside when there's 4 feet of snow piled and it's icy, which is the case here. I don't think the sun has come out for 3 days now. One thing that also helps me is jumping in the shower as soon as I get up. Getting ready for the day and making myself look good even if I have nowhere to go boosts my self-esteem.
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