At the bottom of my entry I mentioned that I have a few symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I realized a few years ago that it was kind of creeping up on me. The symptoms are very much like that of depression but usually show up stronger during the winter season. It’s your typical list of symptoms:
* Depression * Hopelessness * Anxiety * Loss of energy * Social withdrawal * Oversleeping * Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed * Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates * Weight gain * Difficulty concentrating and processing information.
The depression, which can feel like that of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder depression is the type that drags you down so low you just can’t stand it. I literally walked around the house asking myself why I was so sad. It’s a deep, deep sadness that you don’t believe will lift. You spend a lot of time trying to figure out what’s wrong but there’s nothing specific to point to saying, this is why I feel so hopeless right now, this is why I wish to die. I kept trying to figure this out, am I harmonal? Am I, like my other family members, going through the change early? They all started around 35. I’m 38 years old. Could it be that I’m going through the change and that’s why I feel so out of control with emotions? I’m not certain but the one thing I do know is a month ago this out of control feeling started which is also when it started getting colder. Now, several years ago during the colder months I put in full spectrum bulbs as light therapy and it helped my depression.
I have a theory about SAD and Global Warming. Since Global Warming has thrown off our weather then it makes sense to me that my inner clock would be thrown off the same as the earths clock is thrown off. What was once frozen is now thawed, what was dry is now wet, cold is hot and hot is cold. This has thrown our weather off as well as disturbed the natural cycle of things. Does it not make sense that with the drastic changes in Indiana weather that my inner clock/cycle would also be affected? I think it does. Those who once didn’t suffer with SAD may now have these symptoms simply because the weather isn’t what it’s supposed to be and it has disturbed our inner clock. That’s my theory anyway because before 5 years ago I wasn’t dealing with this. In the last 5 years Indiana has had record breaking warm weather when it should be cold and cold when it should be warm, etc.
So anyway, in addition to adding full spectrum light bulbs for light therapy I’ve also decided to go ahead and get some house plants. This will add green to my home when everything else is white and muddy. If finances allow it I’ll keep fresh flowers on my table. I want to take a proactive step to helping myself through the winter season so these are the few steps I’ve come up with which may help.
A. August
I like the idea of full spectrum bulbs and house plants. I’d kill the house plants but will be looking for the bulbs myself. I used to go to the tanning bed too.
I said full spectrum but it’s Daylight bulbs you need for SAD. I get them at Lowes but you can also get them at Wal-mart for pretty much the same price. I got a 4 pack for $11.00. I was unable to get plants but I did get the bulbs. They work nicely. Get the DAYLIGHT. They need to be 6500K color temperature with more blue than the full spectrum bulbs offer. This is what I got here.
smells are often forgotten. I do the light thing,houseplants. btw fake ones work fine if you are a plant serial killer like me. but the big thing for me was those botanical candles that smell like outside things. Lemongrass or berries are my faves.
blesssings
plant serial killer – ha ha ha ha
I’m terrible at dusting so they’d just sit there and collect dust thus losing their green. Live works for me at this point especially succulents.
I’d say smells are very important too. Thanks for that note. I can get Lemongrass for a buck. Good to know.
Austin