Winter Sucks!
codename_steve
Posts: 255 Member
I hate winter! I'm pretty sure I have a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder. It becomes insanely difficult for me to get out of bed in the morning (during the summer I got up at 4:30 to run, and it was awesome). And as it gets dark in the evening I get sleepy even though it's only 4 pm. How do you make it through the dark/dreariness?
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Full spectrum therapy light (mine is Verilux), Vitamin D supplement, staying on track with my diet and meal planning and not letting myself go home between work and the gym.
I hear you, it's the worst! Good luck.0 -
Same here.. It definitely sucks!0
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I looked into the therapy lights last winter but couldn't justify spending $100 at the time. Do you have any opinions on the less expensive ones? Like $40ish.0
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codename_steve wrote: »I looked into the therapy lights last winter but couldn't justify spending $100 at the time. Do you have any opinions on the less expensive ones? Like $40ish.
I only paid like $40 for mine. Because it's smaller, I have to sit closer to it (it has to be in your direct line of vision and fairly close), but I think it helps.0 -
in general i'm less active in the winter. i still exercise but i ride less and lift more but my general activity will generally drop significantly. on a summer weekend morning you're likely to find me walking around the zoo or at the park or something with my kids...in the winter you're more likely to find me on my couch watching a movie with them.
i think it's pretty normal...it's not unusual for me to put on 5-10 Lbs over winter, but it comes right off in the spring when i start getting in the miles on my bike again. this year i'm planning to go to a rec center near my office to get in a little more winter cardio than i've done in the past couple of years and i'm watching my food a little closer so we'll see...but again, i'm ultimately not too worried as my winter weight comes right off come spring.0 -
The standard for light boxes is 10,000 lux for 15-30 minutes. If you get a cheaper box, you need to make sure you're getting sufficient intensity for it to work. Lots of the cheaper boxes will only put out 5,000 or even 3,000 lux, so you'd need to spend more time sitting in front of it to get the benefit. Also, make sure that the box you buy is designed for SAD, because lots of them aren't. It's not worth even $40 if it doesn't work.
FWIW, my $80 NatureBright box from Amazon is worth its weight in gold. I also supplement with Vitamin D, creatine and 5-HTP, and make sure I get at least a little outside time every day. Exercise helps, too.0 -
This thread has a lot of good suggestions: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1431740/seasonal-affective-disorder/p10
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I started on the vitamin D in the summer. I have bipolar 2 so with SAD things get extra tricky. So far exercise seems to actually be helping hugely but I've been so unwell and sedentary for so many years it's hard to really judge what's going on!
I will say this, as someone with exercise induced anxiety/panic attacks and overheating exacerbating that issue, running in the colder weather is an absolute revelation. Well, working out when it's cooler in general. I love it so much more than when I'm hot and sticky before I even start. Ask me if I still thank that when it gets properly cold though...............0 -
Yep, you have to just make yourself and then it feels good, so you just do.0
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I'm sorry but I'm totally the opposite. I like winter because when I get cold I have to get up and exercise. Even if it's just getting up and running up and down the stairs a few times. I say that to my son all the time when he complains and wants to turn up the heat. Plus the warm winter foods seem to fill me up, I'm much more satiated. Anyway I agree with the other posters about light therapy. I hope you find something that works for you. Florida Keys maybe?0
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I'm thinking of seriously investing in a light box or wake up light.
soon we'll only be having 5-6 hours of "sunlight" (grayness) and i'm feeling it BIG TIME!
I am not going to bed until 4-5AM and sleeping until 1-2 (when brightness is at it's peak). It's awful and ruining SO MUCH.
When i was camping this summer in the southern part of europe (with normal rise and set times) I had NO PROBLEMS waking up at 7-8 in the morning and falling asleep by 10-11 and i felt for the first time in my life "wow, is this what it's like to sleep and wake up normally?".
So if anyone has had success with a light box or wake up light PLEASE SHARE!
I am taking 5,000 IU of Vitamin D.
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I love winter! I posted this on a skiing forum where I'm a member, but I'll re-post it here to get everyone in a better mood.
The way the air smells crisp and fresh.
The sunlight gleaming off fresh snow that's just fallen on the city, carpeting everything in a blanket of white.
The way the city is quiet and hushed and there's a muffled air to everything.
Cozy sweaters.
Hot chocolate.
Christmas lights and holiday decorations.
Staying in with that special someone to just cozy up on the sofa, and not feeling guilty about it. (Or, as the kids are saying these days, 'Netflix and chill'.)
A week off of work in December that I can use guilt-free to ski or go on vacation.
Fuzzy slippers and scarves.
Winter festivals like Igloofest, Nuit Blanche or Under The Snow.
Nighttime snowshoeing on the trails on Mount Royal.
Skating at Parc Lafontaine.
Comfort food.
Roasting marshmallows in the fireplace.
That feeling of hope after December 21st when the days finally start getting longer again.
The endless possibilities presented by a new year.0 -
I love winter! I posted this on a skiing forum where I'm a member, but I'll re-post it here to get everyone in a better mood.
The way the air smells crisp and fresh.
The sunlight gleaming off fresh snow that's just fallen on the city, carpeting everything in a blanket of white.
The way the city is quiet and hushed and there's a muffled air to everything.
Cozy sweaters.
Hot chocolate.
Christmas lights and holiday decorations.
Staying in with that special someone to just cozy up on the sofa, and not feeling guilty about it. (Or, as the kids are saying these days, 'Netflix and chill'.)
A week off of work in December that I can use guilt-free to ski or go on vacation.
Fuzzy slippers and scarves.
Winter festivals like Igloofest, Nuit Blanche or Under The Snow.
Nighttime snowshoeing on the trails on Mount Royal.
Skating at Parc Lafontaine.
Comfort food.
Roasting marshmallows in the fireplace.
That feeling of hope after December 21st when the days finally start getting longer again.
The endless possibilities presented by a new year.
Me too. Absolutely love winter!
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I look at it from a different perspective! Yes, it's dark outside - but you can make your home cosy!
I use winter and cold nights as an excuse to stock up on hot chocolate and fluffy warm pyjamas. I light candles in my house and curl up in front of the TV with a good book and a blanket! It doesn't have to be miserable 0 -
I love running in the dark of a morning - it means no one can see how insanely ridiculous I look! lol x0
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I too am not a fan of winter : ( I have sucha hard time dealing with the cold and being cooped up in the house.0
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The standard for light boxes is 10,000 lux for 15-30 minutes. If you get a cheaper box, you need to make sure you're getting sufficient intensity for it to work. Lots of the cheaper boxes will only put out 5,000 or even 3,000 lux, so you'd need to spend more time sitting in front of it to get the benefit. Also, make sure that the box you buy is designed for SAD, because lots of them aren't. It's not worth even $40 if it doesn't work.
FWIW, my $80 NatureBright box from Amazon is worth its weight in gold. I also supplement with Vitamin D, creatine and 5-HTP, and make sure I get at least a little outside time every day. Exercise helps, too.
I don't think I did justice into my light box research- thanks for posting this! I'm going to do some deeper reading.0 -
I'm with you. Winter is awful, I wish I could just hibernate from November until April.0
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I love summer and the outside activities...but I find that in Winter it's gym time! joining a gym this time of year shakes up your activity, keeps you moving and can provide some social interaction, even if it is just in Pilates or spin class!
And, it's only 6 weeks until 12/21 when the days start getting longer again!0 -
I_Will_End_You wrote: »I'm with you. Winter is awful, I wish I could just hibernate from November until April.
A few of us Midwesterners are planning a blanket fort with coffee and booze. We're taking applicants.0 -
I_Will_End_You wrote: »I'm with you. Winter is awful, I wish I could just hibernate from November until April.
A few of us Midwesterners are planning a blanket fort with coffee and booze. We're taking applicants.
Booze in the coffee, I assume. I'm in. I'll bring my space heater.0 -
I_Will_End_You wrote: »I_Will_End_You wrote: »I'm with you. Winter is awful, I wish I could just hibernate from November until April.
A few of us Midwesterners are planning a blanket fort with coffee and booze. We're taking applicants.
Booze in the coffee, I assume. I'm in. I'll bring my space heater.
You're in.
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I love summer and the outside activities...but I find that in Winter it's gym time! joining a gym this time of year shakes up your activity, keeps you moving and can provide some social interaction, even if it is just in Pilates or spin class!
And, it's only 6 weeks until 12/21 when the days start getting longer again!
I do this too. My 4-month membership just kicked in November 1st. I'm in the gym 'til the end of February, and hopefully by March it'll start getting warmer and I can resume some outdoor activities like running or cycling by April or so.
I also ski. I find it helps to enjoy winter if you find a winter sport you enjoy. Personally, being a skier means I can look forward to winter and cheer every time it snows and get outside and enjoy the beautiful winter weather in the great outdoors. If downhill skiing isn't for you, consider skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hockey, curling, or even snowmobiling.0 -
Me 2.
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Light, definitely.
Be outside as much as you can during the day (take part of your lunch
break to walk).
Exercise is good too. Yes, you have to push yourself.
Here's a SAD box that's about $50
http://www.amazon.com/Zadro-Sunlight-Artificial-Days-Year/dp/B0011UYM0C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1446652774&sr=8-2&keywords=led+sad+light
I had a doctor who gave SAD patients a regular grow light bulb.
Find a bulb that says "full-spectrum" or "grow light", preferably in
LED to save energy. And if you can find ones that mention blue
light, that's best.
Here's a 23 watt that's $25.
That's _really_ bright, like 125 watts. (The description says 350.)
http://www.amazon.com/Hydroponic-Spectrum-Light-Lumen-120LED/dp/B00KAJPWYA/ref=sr_1_11?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1446652982&sr=1-11&keywords=led+full+spectrum+light
Here's a 20w (100w equiv.) for $9
http://www.menards.com/main/p-1444431655349.htm?cm_vc=PDPZ1
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Milwaukee, WI (MKE) here.kkenseth wrote:A few of us Midwesterners are planning a blanket fort with coffee and booze. We're taking applicants.
I don't do coffee, but can bring my own blankets & hot chocolate.
And I like it with amaretto or Frangelico.
I'm in Madison...Sconnie love. You're in.0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »I'm thinking of seriously investing in a light box or wake up light.
soon we'll only be having 5-6 hours of "sunlight" (grayness) and i'm feeling it BIG TIME!
I am not going to bed until 4-5AM and sleeping until 1-2 (when brightness is at it's peak). It's awful and ruining SO MUCH.
When i was camping this summer in the southern part of europe (with normal rise and set times) I had NO PROBLEMS waking up at 7-8 in the morning and falling asleep by 10-11 and i felt for the first time in my life "wow, is this what it's like to sleep and wake up normally?".
So if anyone has had success with a light box or wake up light PLEASE SHARE!
I am taking 5,000 IU of Vitamin D.
I can't speak to whether or not the light would help regulate your sleep pattern, because I've never had that issue, but my personal experience is that my light box is a miracle in terms of reducing the severity of my depression symptoms. I highly recommend them for SAD symptoms. Maybe you could buy one through a company with a good warranty offering, so you could try it out and return it if it doesn't help?0
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