So I went into Lowe's yesterday. It's a store like Home Depot... and they had the Christmas trees up already! I mean, two huge isles of them! That is one of my biggest triggers, and not to mention the cold front Arizona has going through it right now. Ugh... I always do the worst this time of year...

[Anika.]

I know, stores here have christmas stuff set up right next to the halloween stuff.... Nightmare before christmas.

Sorry Dan, I know the winter can be super depressing. Here too, grey everyday. I love the snow, I don't mind the cold too much. It gets around -20 here, but I grew up with -40 so it's not quite as bad. Sorry I still only know celcius.

Have you every thought about light therapy to help get through the winters?

never thought about it before. Maybe I'll consider it though. thank you

[MommaR]

Anika, you are always so helpful and full of great advice. I just read some reports on light therapy in treating winter depression (aptly named SAD- seasonal affective disorder). In the journal articles I was reading, its been given rave reviews! For those who would like to receive the benefits without the expense of in-office treatments or purchasing their own lamp, the articles suggested taking advantage of any day when there is natural sunlight outside. According to the article, it only takes 15 min of exposure daily to get the full benefit of the sun's vitamin D. It also suggested adding vit D to your diet to supplement cloudy days.

[Victoria'smom]

Winters suck. We spend money on full spectrum bulbs making out whole house a light box. My Pdoc ups visits. On the plus side most of my Christmas shopping for extended family is done.

[LiveThroughThis]

I've looked at many lights you can buy that provide the light therapy Anika mentioned....for the times when there's no sunlight outside at all. From what I recall that weren't badly priced....try Amazon maybe?

[Moreta]

My mother in law got me a light box last year. I used it 30 mins a day, when I first woke up. It helped me make it through the winter. Almost time to break it out again.

[BipolaRNurse]

My dawn simulator is keeping my head above water so far. At least when I'm close to waking up in the morning, the light brightens gradually, hits my brain like summer sunshine, and I'm ready to pop out of bed, even at oh-dark-thirty. There was one morning when I didn't have the timer on and it didn't come on, and my husband practically had to drag my sorry carcass out of bed......it definitely helps. Hope I can say the same thing come January.

[purpledaisy]

I feel your pain!

Dreary weather does me in, too.

Right now where I live, the leaves are changing colors.

Some people say it's beautiful to see the seasons change.

To me, fall colors = the colors of death. The leaves are dying and falling off. Winter is on its way, bringing with it more depression.

I really hate this time of year.

I need to look into the full-spectrum bulbs and light boxes to try to make this year better. Thanks for the info.

[Passion222]

I absolutely can't stand winter. Puts me in the darkest frame if mind. Dreading it so much. I go into hiding for months. Holidays actually depress me instead of making me happy. I need to try that light therapy. Thanks for reminder

[Passion222]

Purple daisy I'm also in that seasonal change and the leaves falling off the tree only signals cold grey dismal days ahead.

[perseverance11]

Hello Anika.,

I guess it is not the first time that you live that?
How did you do to manage this the other years?

[LiveThroughThis]

I am one of the few ppl I know with a mood disorder that prefers the colder/drearier weather. I am naturally warm natured, plus I have a condition in which if my body temperature rises so high against the surrounding environment I get overheated/hives, etc.... luckily that doesn't happen often. I haven't worn longsleeves in years (aside from coats) because inside buildings the heat is way high and I can't take it. Summer is awful because I live in such a humid area...I can't stand to not have A/C. Also, I've never been a fan of direct sunlight; my eyes are very sensitive to it, and while I tan naturally, the sun's rays are too much unless I'm in a creek or somewhere with shade.

I've never felt I lacked in Vit D. I may have been, but I haven't noticed, lol. I can't say I'd want to live in a non-stop cloudy area, but I prefer it and rain over 90+temps w/sauna air anyday.