It's January. It's c-c-c-cold and daylight is scarce. No wonder I am feeling blue and tired and depressed. Anyone have suggestions on how to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)? Thanks.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Especially if your seasonal depression symptoms are severe, you may need medications, light therapy or other treatments to manage seasonal affective disorder. However, there are some measures you can do on your own that may help, such as:

• Make your environment sunnier and brighter. Open blinds, add skylights and trim tree branches that block sunlight. Sit closer to bright windows while at home or in the office.
• Get outside. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning.
• Exercise regularly. Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase seasonal affective disorder symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sea...5/METHOD=print

[whenwillitend]

We do get quite a bit of sunshine here in CO, and I take nice long walks with the dogs every day. Even if I don't feel like it, they make me. And in between walks I'm out in the yard playing with them. It does make me feel better to be outside.

[Leed]

Hi ~ There are some special lamps that you can buy for S.A.D. - I've seen them on Ebay, and you can also get them at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They run about 32.00 but you can pay alot more for them too. You sit under them for about 20 minutes, but don't sit under them longer or you get manic!

I suffer from S.A.D. too but I take an antidepressant, and that seems to help. I live in Michigan and we're usually pretty gray during the winter. We have had a little more sun than usual, but right now it's icky - with snow and sleet coming. Goody. Talk to your doctor about this if you haven't already. He can help. Best of luck and God bless! I wish winter was over.

[whenwillitend]

Originally Posted by Leed

Hi ~ There are some special lamps that you can buy for S.A.D. - I've seen them on Ebay, and you can also get them at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They run about 32.00 but you can pay alot more for them too. You sit under them for about 20 minutes, but don't sit under them longer or you get manic!

I suffer from S.A.D. too but I take an antidepressant, and that seems to help. I live in Michigan and we're usually pretty gray during the winter. We have had a little more sun than usual, but right now it's icky - with snow and sleet coming. Goody. Talk to your doctor about this if you haven't already. He can help. Best of luck and God bless! I wish winter was over.

I tried those lamps once while in the hospital. Didn't do a thing for me.

[justfloating]

Hi, I have a lamp and it's done wonders for me. I go to school in Scotland so I'm here in the winter when it's darkest and grayest and generally blah-est, and the light, along with medication and therapy, really helped. I use it for up to an hour each day and I started noticing a difference after about a week. It's not a cure-all, but it gives me that little boost I need in order to get through the day.

Hope this helps.

[whenwillitend]

Originally Posted by justfloating

Hi, I have a lamp and it's done wonders for me. I go to school in Scotland so I'm here in the winter when it's darkest and grayest and generally blah-est, and the light, along with medication and therapy, really helped. I use it for up to an hour each day and I started noticing a difference after about a week. It's not a cure-all, but it gives me that little boost I need in order to get through the day.

Hope this helps.

That's probably why it didn't work for me, they only had me do it once. It was 20 minutes if I remember it correctly, it's been a few years. Good to know that it takes a bit to kick in.

[snowsnowsnow]

I was on line and read yor recommendations.I seems to work for me.I am a college student and can not shut down because of seasonal affective disorder.
thanks
snowsnowsnow