I’m So SAD

Hey Angella,
That makes sense, Paul was just saying that even though our winters obviously don’t compare to what you guys get, that even here people tend to me more likely to be depressed/blue during winter when they don’t get the same opportunities for outdoor activities. Anyway, while I’ve had depression I haven’t dealt with SAD but I found this website http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/sad.html which made the following recommendations:

Treatment of SAD
Self-help
There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the effects of SAD. Wherever possible, you should:

try to find time each day to get outside
sit near windows when you are inside
take regular, moderate exercise – for more information on exercise, see Related topics
eat a well-balanced diet – for more information on eating a healthy diet, see Related topics
decorate your home in light colours
leave any major projects until summer and plan ahead for winter
not put yourself under stress and learn relaxation techniques

I do have a friend in Canada who has SAD and has used bright lights to help….if I were you I’d try to make a Mexican haven in your own home. Somewhere bright and airy with some of your beautiful photos enlarged and any other Mexican touches (souvenirs/music/food) you could find? Somewhere you could escape for a little while. I’ll be praying for you too, doesn’t sound like fun

Robyn’s last blog post..Maybe not

You are definitely not alone. SAD is something I’ve struggled with for many years. I’ve been doing light therapy for a long time, on and off. I started it again almost 2 weeks ago, and it’s been very helpful. It truly makes an enormous difference, at least for me. I’ve noticed that I’m not as depressed, I have more energy and I’m feeling better, despite the crummy weather. It’s a bit frustrating having to adjust my schedule to sit in front of the light for a half hour every morning before I go to work, but the benefits are outweighing the negatives right now. I still have my moments of depression, but they aren’t as severe or last as long as they did when I wasn’t using the light therapy.

I also find that eating well and exercising on a regular basis helps incredibly. It’s nothing new, but having a balanced diet and getting the exercise I need really increases my energy levels, and makes me feel so much better.

I hope you’re able to find something that will be helpful in getting you through the tough winter months. If you ever want more information, please let me know. I’m more than happy to talk about my experiences with anyone that’s interested.

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I used to write in the area of Affective Disorders. SAD is a form of depression. You may only have a *smidgen* of it, but I’m sure that the treatments commonly prescribed for it would be helpful. Medication is only one option, there are others like cognitive therapy, counselling, etc. I have never suffered from SAD, but I have had postpartum depression (twice). I know the “stigma” of having to get treatment for it. But short of taking a tropical holiday every winter (highly impractical), you may like to consider talking to your doctor about it, to see what they can suggest.
Alternatively, others may have experienced SAD themselves and have some ideas that will help you – I hope this is the case, and that you can try some of them out.
((hugs))

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I also meant to say that light therapy is another option … I see the first poster has first-hand experience with this. I can provide lots of clinical trial evidence to back up the efficacy of this therapy, so if you want to know more, just email me!

Hannah’s last blog post..Christmas Envelope Letters

Praying for you

I second the light therapy option, I had a daylight bulb as my main light last year and it really helped, though I found I had to switch it off about an hour before going to bed so that I could fall asleep properly!

I’m planning on investing in a full-spectrum sunrise alarm clock sometime soon.

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I’ve experienced mild blues and full-blown depression, and I have to say- as shallow as it sounds- that the obvious, “superficial” pleasures really lift my mood: going on a shopping trip (with a limited budget!); drinking bubbly with my partner; planning a weekend away; doing some spicy-smelling Christmas baking. Just doing lovely things.
I also find it essential to have something to look forward to in the near, mid and long term future, whether that’s a holiday, lunch with a friend, or concert/play or reading a new book.
Sadly most of these things cost money! But with a bit of creativity, you can plan treats which don’t cost much.

Hope you feel better.

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Go to Disney Land! Just for a couple of nights. The kids will LOVE it, and you will feel the warm sun. Book it for when you know you’ll feel the lowest, so you have something to look forward to. Money-schmoney…charge it and deal with it later.

(That last sentence made you cringe a little bit, didn’t it?!?) I am so not a Type A personality!!!

joyce’s last blog post..A post about nothing really…

I hope you find a treatment that works for you, you don’t need to suffer with this. I have a good friend who’s had much success with light therapy. Based on the other comments, it sounds like that would be the first thing to try?

catnip’s last blog post..6 word memoir

I’ve never heard of this! I had to click the link to make sure it was a real disorder and not a clever name you’d come up with! *lol*

I hope you find a good way to deal with it!

Maria’s last blog post..For Your Information:

I feel like I have SAD as well. I feel like a brand new person in the spring. More alive. Happier.

Here are a few things that help me.

- Seek out the things you do enjoy about the winter season and do them a lot. A toasty warm fire and hot chocolate? Make it a weekly tradition with the family. Skating? Plan to do it every Sunday after nap. Things like that.

- Keep fresh flowers on the kitchen table. That burst of color and bit of life always helps perk me up a little. Even a cheap bunch of daisies or carnations can do the trick.

- Get sunlight. Go outside or enjoy a sunbeam, like I do mine.

Hope you fare well this winter!

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family of 5 trip to toronto. it includes a free place to stay. haha.

Go to Maui. Now.

I really relate to what you’re going through. I’m a Northwest girl (born in Portland…moved to Northern California at 13…then returned to attend UW in Seattle).

I can honestly say that I was mildly depressed the five years I lived in Seattle. The clouds and rain were too much for me. It is cloudy and/or rainy about 300 days a year there!

I don’t have any tips (aside from Go to Maui. Now.) I didn’t feel better until I moved back to California. Then again, Seattle’s weather pretty much sucks ALL YEAR… seems that where you live is quite sunny and beautiful past the winter.

LVGurl’s last blog post..Rock the boat

We too are wanting to fly away from the snow…it is crazy that kiddos are the same price as adults BUt look at these sites they have great last minute deals and make it a possibility…
http://www.itravel2000.com/HomePage.aspx
http://www.jubileetravel.com/

Vegas is really cheap but not so kid friendly…
Kids fly and stay free usually only applies to a family of 4 not 5
We might just pack up out trailer and drive until the snow is gone…..
Let me know if you find any great deals…
XO

I am the same way….and we are heading to Hawaii after Christmas, not Maui as Marci suggests but Kona…check out WestJet Vacations….the hotel is practically free.

Love you!

And that picture is gorgeous of you too BTW. I can’t remember when I last picked up my camera…which explains that lack of posting on my part too.

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SUCK IT UP GIRL!

Kidding.

Um, you could think of me! In -30 weather with -50 wind chill. Sometimes -60. Does that make you feel better? How about now?

My favorite thing about winter is how cozy it makes the house. Light some candles in the evening and bask in the beautiful snow (through your window). Winter is really beautiful, everything is WHITE and looks so serene.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m SO NOT a winter person either, but when you live in Saskatchewan, and there’s 6-8 months of it, you kinda gotta get used to it.

I’m totally with you on the not wearing your heart on your sleeve thing. I can be having the most horrific day, but if I’m out, you’d never know. I like it that way. My oh-most-horrible whining, tears, frustrations, etc are all kept for Noah. What a lucky man.

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ps. I love that picture. Apparently you’re beautiful when you’re sad!

Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..NaBloPoMo Day 9: Sunday Sunday

I am right with you on this one. I am like a bear, I lock my self in side and don’t come out till spring. I think my problems is more that I hate wearing multiple layers of cloths and also hate getting wet. Damp cloths from the snow feel gross.

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I have suffered from a touch of SAD since moving to Seattle. It’s brutal. I’m sorry you’re struggling. If you can find a place to get away to break up the winter, it’s worth it for your mindset. You could always turn on every light in the house and have a pretend summer picnic in the middle of your living room. Do things that remind you of summer. Maybe that’s silly but I bet the kids would like it.

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I think the idea about keeping fresh flowers in the house, whenever possible, is a great idea. In as many rooms as possible!

Exercise is usually a great cure for many ills—all those natural endorphins.

Yummy-smelling baking! Maybe you should start baking your own bread this winter? Maybe invest in a bread machine?

Failing that, come to SoCal and visit. Bring your family, or come by yourself for a weekend. You (and your family, seriously!) have a free place to stay when you want it!

bethany actually’s last blog post..I am so happy to not be in a car right now

Exercise is my therapy (I haven’t read other comments yet so this is probably a repeat). If I’m working out regularly I’m not nearly as affected by the weather.

I’ve also been known to frequent tanning beds. I KNOW. But they work miracles on my mood.

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I think everyone in BC can relate to the symptoms of SAD. Light therapy is definitely an option, but be careful! “SAD Lights” are being sold everywhere now, but not all of them are a good choice for long term treatment! If it is something you’d really like to look into, we here in BC are very lucky to have the Mood Disorder Clinic at UBC, with some of the best experts on SAD. Give them a call! That being said, anything that makes you feel better, do it! When it comes to SAD or depression, anything short of drugs, alcohol, or hurting others that makes you feel better is a good thing! I’ve read some comments from above that are a little bashful about things like shopping or tanning beds working for them. I say good for you! Keep it up! Along with light therapy, I find things like a consistent bedtime, stress management (i.e. planning dinners out in advance, Christmas shopping in advance) work for me. If you know that once a month you are not at your best, do a little extra for yourself in that time. When I was first diagnosed (and every year since) I struggled with the fact that I was out of control of my moods, that I had to be dependent on something else to keep me going. One of the best things I ever did was to stop beating myself up and to recognize that come October, my volume is turned down. The way I operate has to change slightly. If I allow for those changes, and don’t expect to be the same as I am in July, thing are a lot smoother. I found a verse right after I was diagnosed that gave me hope. It reminds us that in Heaven we will not need a sun or a moon, that God will be our light (Rev 21:23-25). If all else fails, remember Dory: “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming”!
Lindsay

I tend to start feeling bluesy in the winter too.

Though I’m hoping to plan a trip to Disney for late winter so hopefully just knowing of the trip will help.

Kimber’s last blog post..Soul Food

I dealt with mild seasonal depression when I lived in upstate New York, and going to the tanning bed (once a week, for about 5 minutes) helped. It might not be the best way to get some vitamin D, but it was the best way for my lifestyle at the time.

Maggie’s last blog post..it’s been a stressful week

actually get outside and do things… the brightness of the snow will help you get through… sitting inside where it’s warm doesn’t help you get those natural vitamins. Also helps you sleep better at night. It’s hard, trust me. But, as soon as the dreary rainy autumn is replaced with the sunny winter, i start to feel better.

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Hugs, first of all.
I hate winter too, so I feel your pain. And I live in California so I can’t really complain!
I have heard a lot of people who struggle with this recommend Vitamin D and Go Lite (you can find them at Amazon) and they have said it has made all the difference.
I am waiting for them to invent a lap top with a SAD bulb in the screen, btw. Genius invention!
I would absolutely try the Go Lite, sometimes your insurance will even “prescribe” it and then you can get it for free.

Elizabeth’s last blog post..Having a Ball

A couple of years I bought a (small sized) SAD light and for the five or ten minutes in the morning that I actually sit and eat my toast I put it on, and then again I put it on when I get home from work and check my emails. That’s helped. I also got an alarm clock that uses light to gently wake me up (along with my radio alarm) because holy smokes those dark mornings can be tough! So, a little light has helped me a lot.

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#1: The best photo of you yet.
#2: Get a light box, for you and your family- put it on the dining table
#3: Vitamin D supplements. Seriously.

How about doing something crazy one weekend, and buying all sorts of Hawaii paraphenalia, decorating your living room with tiki, putting leis on your family and Don Ho on the CD, and watching old episodes of Magnum P.I. on the TV? Even if it is snowing outside.

Neil’s last blog post..Your Perception of Me

I have always hated the “grayness” of winter. I’m finding SA is actually way worse than Calgary was, cuz at least there is SUN there even if it’s butt cold!
When I was getting to the end of my rope…I went tanning! Really! Nothing crazy…like 10min. a week. And also I hit the pool…something about swimming in a humid pool when it’s butt cold out and sitting in the sauna afterwards…does a body good.
Hope you don’t feel so gray.

girl, i just try to keep my head down and survive from November to March. but thankfully this month has been beautiful and bright so far, so it’s helped.

advice?

stockpile funny movies and your favorite sitcom episodes. oh, and when the sun does shine? pick your favorite window and let yourself enjoy it.

Sarcomical’s last blog post..Behold, Le Ricky:

I definitely get this way during winter and I live in Florida! I just try to relish in the things I DO like about this season: warm apple cider, holiday movies, laying on the couch with a big blanket and all the dogs on my lap, etc. Sure, they are small things but I make sure I am thankful for them and really appreciate them. This way, I can sort of forget about that blah feeling that creeps in.

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Being from Minnesota–I GET the whole Winter thing. In spades…

A co-worker of mine was diagnosed with SAD and up and moved her family to Albuquerque. She says she’s never been happier. And I believe she’s been down there now for nearly a decade. But, she had it severe—like you said, this is not necessarily you.

My advice, because I, too, suffer from the Winter Blues is to take bites in small doses. Look forward to the end of winter muck but do this is short snippets of time: Next week, Next Sunday, etc. The magnitude of the season is so vast (especially in your part of Canada and my part of the states) that it’s overwhelming–even for one who seemingly has it all

Schedule fun stuff for you and your sanity (brief salon trips–quick massage, scalp massage, mani/pedi…how about a weekend or 4 away from the kidlets–just you and Honey. Hope this helps.

BeaUtiful photo, Angella.

The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..I’m hoping my next toothbrush will come with an emery board or maybe a can of peas. Because really, that would be helpful.

I was just talking to my sister about this last night as The Grey Rains have begun here in Portland, too.

I used to go tanning when I was in college in Salem, and as silly as it sounds, the lights and the warmth, even for a few minutes a few times a week really does help. If you do it in small increments and not every single day it’s pretty safe. It’s a perfect little nap, too.

On top of that my sister and I were talking about exercise and how if we waited for dry sunny days to get outside in the winter we would rarely leave our respective houses. So get some cute (colorful!) mittens and hats and get outside as often as you can. Soaking up the daylight, however grey it might be, does wonders for me.

(I also concur with the fresh flowers idea. Something about bright and cheery and ALIVE to help remind you that Spring will always return triumphantly.)

Big hugs.

Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Good Things: Runner’s Soul Edition

Maybe you could have a little “Mexico” party at your house and everyone gets to dressed in their Summery clothes (crank up the heat!) and you drink Coronas and margaritas.

I’m not expert on dealing with the winter blahs since we don’t really have winter here. Maybe we could do a house swap sometime in January or February because I would love for my kids to actually see what winter is really like! : )

Elaine’s last blog post..Run Lainey, Run!

Natural sunlight, vitamin D, and a full spectrum light! They fake the light of the sun, and are apparently really awesome in helping to battle SAD

Meg’s last blog post..you’re just a phase i’ve gotten over anyhow

The clock changing every year is a killer for me, I love the extra hour for the one night, but being at work the entire time it’s light out, yep I get it. Thank you for sharing it too.
Not sure if it is out of the price range, but have you considered Las Vegas. Seriously! There is so much to do that is not casino related and many things are free. Rent a car for two days and you can hit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon one day and either Valley of Fire or Red Rock Park on another day. Given that you guys love the outdoors this is a great vacation. We’ve done the trip twice (just for kicks I spent a totao of $20 in the casinos, between both trips) and the vacation always rejuvinates me. Both times the weather has been fabulous. Kid-friendly casino/hotels are Circus Circus (very kid friendly, but a little much for me personally) and Excalibur (great place to stay and one of the cheaper places right in the heart of everything).
Well that’s my two cents.

((((HUG))))
Only three months to go??
Not that consoling….I know.

Maybe a few really good books from the library?
I dunno. Feels good to get lost in a good book somedays.
I sometimes tackle something on my sewing machine.
Play with pretty paper?
You’re so good at that!

We heart you from Albertlies.

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I haven’t read any of the above comments, but I do know of something that will help anyway. One of those light boxes. I to HATE the winter for the exact same reason! I couldn’t believe how awesome I felt today because the sun has been a shinnin’! I am going to try one out this year. I’ll let ya know how it goes.
I found the ONE year that I went to mexico in the middle of the winter REALLY REALLY helped, cause it broke up the ickyness, enough to know that spring was around the corner.
All the best in finding balance. I hear ya all too clear!

kaili’s last blog post..Wow!

I am delurking and a new reader and THANK YOU! I’ve just been dealing with what you’re talking about. I feel the dread of winter, and shorter daylight, meaning we have to stay inside, just creeping up on me as soon as October comes around. I find I HAVE TO get outside everyday – even if it means bundling the 6 year old up and walking around. I love reading the suggestions in the comments and look forward to reading and writing more about this as we all struggle through this time of year! Thanks!

Wow! A kajillion comments. If you hate winter, wait til hot flashes set in. You will like it better then. Really.

witchypoo’s last blog post..Tarot Lesson

I deal with the same thing. My dad is actually diagnose SAD. His conincides with harvest season (former farmer). This is what spurred NoImYoSeMo.

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Hi Angella… I’m delurking just to let you know you’re not alone. I think this SAD effects so many people… And it’s a huge step in just recognizing that there is an issue. (boy, THAT didn’t sound cliche’d!)
I have battled on and off with depression for years, and have never really figured out what’s depression, and what’s really me just being me…
Good for you for being open enough to talk about this, and also opening other peoples eyes to SAD…

Jessica’s last blog post..Rushing Christmas

St. John’s Wort is my drug (herb) of choice for this. I buy it from my chiropractor. The company that makes it is Mediherb. It has always worked for me; living in New York, Alaska, North Dakota, and Vermont… I have needed it.

I sincerely hope you find something that works for you because having SAD, whether a touch or full-blown, can be really tough. It makes you feel a bit like you’re living in a cloud. A grey one. You know the sun is out there somewhere but you can’t see it. And just believing that it’s there is not quite enough.

-Andrea

Andrea’s last blog post..Flourless Chocolate Cake

I feel that way in the winter sometimes and I live in Southern California where we don’t really have “winter”!! But it does get darker sooner thanks to daylight savings. Just wanted to say that that’s a gorgeous photo of you =)

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love you!

I think a trip (friend date) to Kelowna when the road reopens will help you — and me too!

Lots of light in the house. Daylight bulbs are the best. A friend of ours got a tanning bed to sit in 10 min a day, it has really helped him and his wife because when he was off kilter the whole family was.

Lots of hugs and prayers for you!

Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire’s last blog post..Poor Oscar

I too get a little SAD in Seattle:( My defense? A Tropical vacation every February, it makes the worst month of the year (in my opinion) better. Ok, so we only did that once and who knows when it will ever happen again. My next best defense is to enjoy the season for what it’s worth by indulging in fun wintertime activities. One of our favorite things to do is go to the hotsprings in Nakusp, swim in the outdoor pools and then go snowshoeing…and then get back in the pool. Halcyon is a great place if you’ve never been. If you have access to four wheel drive or snowmobiles you can even sometimes go for a dip in the out in the woods springs although accesibility to these areas has changed since the last time I went so you’d have to check with the locals.

Vitamin D supplements are a good idea. Also look into giving them to your kids. Newer research is pointing to vitamin D deficiency in children as being linked to future autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s and MS (etc etc). People in Northern Latitudes (eg Canada) seem to be most affected.

On a lighter note I often joke with my husband that I’m going to sit by the full spectum light in our Chameleon’s cage to see if that makes it any easier to live with myself;)

oh, I am SO with you on this one. I drive around at night with classical music blaring and the heat cranked. I only do it in winter. It makes me feel better for a short time.
After the holidays I C.R.A.S.H hard. SAD is a good name for it. Sorry, no tips or tricks, I’m reading your comments trying to find something that might work for me. Good luck.

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Can you imagine living in Alaska where there are white nights and whatever the opposite is called? It’d kill me, I think. In other words, short, winter days affect me, too, though I don’t think to the extent you’ve described. Then, again, I live in the South so I CAN get out without freezing.

Light therapy has been suggested over and over already…but it was my thought, too.

Hang in there–read some good posts @ “someone’s” trip to Mexico .

Robin ~ PENSIEVE’s last blog post..Hot Chocolate Wars: Whipped Cream vs Marshmallows

Look on the bright side Angella – atleast you get the chance to go some places. I’ve never been anywhere since I was 12. My job pays pittance and most Indian don’t get to travel that much anyways.

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I feel for you as I have the exact opposite problem…….I am so sick of being stinking hot that I want a least two winters of bitterly cold weather.

Not that I have every lived somewhere where it snows, but oh it looks like fun.

The thought of heaters, woolen duvets and a white Christmas make me green with envy.

I can drool at your autumn and winter photos and your can drool over my year round tropical photos from Indonesia.

I turn my A/C on as low as it goes and it still never gets cold:(

Jen in Jakarta’s last blog post..Latin Ball, Shangri-La Jakarta

My Mom and I were just chatting about this, and she ordered some Light Therapy bulbs from the internet. I guess in Canada you can only buy the whole Light Therapy Lamp deal for like $200. But, online, from the States, you can order the light bulbs and replace a few bulbs in your house for really cheap.

Just an idea, anyways. Hope you feel better

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[...] honestly hesitated before posting about the whole “S.A.D.” post the other day for two [...]

Hey lady….I think I went through a bout of that last winter. We had a miserable one that lsted forever and Feb and March were the wors of it, so it was like NEVER ENDING.

I read a lot online and really, light helps and eat foods rich in Vitamin D. I have a brighter light in my bathroom that I don’t turn on a lot because it makes the room hot, but I turn it on in the winter because my brain thinks sunshine.

I’m with you on hating winter….

Kristabella’s last blog post..Winter Wonderland

[...] most recent example being the post about my fight with The Winter Blues. I threw it out there, hoping for people to exclaim, “Me Too!” and to share their ideas [...]

[...] that I have been feeling a little melancholy lately.  I have been taking steps to keep the whole s.a.d. thing in line. Vitamin D! Exercise! Good eating [...]