2025/26 SAD thread

@EmeraldRoulette I hope you keep feeling better for not taking it.

It's funny what we try to feel better. I have had some success with herbs to help me but I always saw a lady who made me herb based tincture to help build my stamina and energy up during burnout.

I'm currently taking a women's pmdd type vitamin supplement and I have no idea if it's helping but am a bit scared to stop taking it right now! I would love to not need ADs but again... It's not worth considering stopping.

My forray into HRT does seem to be having the most beneficial impact but even that's a lot of trial and error and patience.

I don't want to brag but we've some blue skies today and it heellpppzzzss soooo much. Back to rain tomorrow though.

It's kind of dark outside
meh

OMG it has taken me a long time to get that ashwaganda out of my system. Wish I'd never taken it really. I think I'm just about normal today so hopefully I'll bounce back.

I don't feel like going out in the evenings at all though. I've got something I can go to this weekend and next week. And I just don't want to. It's not even a problem to go. It's local.

Yes wet and muddy here (very muddy!) and sadly more of the same forecast all week 😢 wet dog, wet clothes, muddy floors sigh….

Only just hanging on!

Morning.

It's raining again.

What a surprise. Not.

Is winter over yet? I'm so fed up of rain, wet clothes, wet dog, wet children, wet coats, muddy shoes, struggling to dry laundry inside... I have a cold and my period and a list as long as my arm.

Hope everyone is hanging on in there kind of... X

I'd not considerd that ..might be possible tho

Yes I’ve been trying to increase my protein, I suspect I’m often just not eating enough, I’m beginning to wonder if that links to my low mood.

Ginseng is supposed to have lots of benefits but the one I want is improved mood

What does gingsin do

I take max strength Vit D and ginseng. I can't say that they are life changing but I think they help a bit

It's remembering to take them to .
I definitely felt better when I was eating more
I know for a fact I can't possibly be getting enough protein in
That can't be helping

My message has gone

Thanks I think I saw a green capsule on Amazon as gummies

@Newyearsparkle I genuinely found Rheal green food powder to be very helpful. I had two months of it. I bought the one with the spirulina, chlorella etc, it's about £25 a month though.

Sorry, I can't link because MN is going through a phase of crashing every time I try that.

It helped with that feeling of being completely drained of energy. I will be looking for a capsule that doesn't have anything else in it but I wonder if I'm asking for too much - maybe I need the benefit of the actual powder which presumably can't be squashed into a capsule. I wouldn't feel the need to take it in spring and summer.

others here find vitamin D really helpful. I take it because I should, but I don't notice it making a difference. I also take a B12 complex.

I can't seem to pull myself together at the moment

What supplements should we be taking to get through this time of the year
I'm sure I'm deficient in something as I'm so tired all the time
I'm vegan ,which doesn't help matters and dieting

Actually, I think I have identified what was wrong

I've been taking a new supplement - somewhat against my better judgement, because it had ashwaganda in it - which I've taken before and it didn't suit me. Just made me feel odd and I couldn't work out why

Anyway, I suddenly realised this morning that's probably what the problem was.

I think it's flattened out my cortisol levels or
something. I've taken it five days in a row. I haven't even posted on here for a while because I was feeling reasonably normal for winter. I think this supplement is at fault.

Anyway, it's a shame because the supplement was quite handy in other ways - saved me having a green powder in the morning, which is good stuff but sometimes you just think eww...green powder...

But it may be time to go back to Green powder! Much as I don't like it, it definitely makes winter better. Annoying when you spend money on a supplement and it doesn't work. Perhaps I should take it before bed, but it's got other things in it.

maybe a good one to have in the cupboard for anxiety, who knows

I don't know how long it will take to go back to normal.

@EmeraldRoulette and @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding Sorry you are both struggling at the moment 💐 I really hope you both feel better soon.

I forced myself to a Pilates class yesterday, it was difficult (physically and mentally!) but I did feel a bit better afterwards. Also did a bit of baking whilst listening to the radio, which helped relax me a bit.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding oh no
I feel for you 💐

I feel flat as a pancake today.

That’s true, so many are feeling fed up atm aren’t they?

I can’t wait for things to feel more hopeful and uplifting.

I avoid the news at all costs in winter (and at most other times!) as I don’t want all the negativity in my head when it’s dark and gloomy anyway.

Yes, everyone seems flat and unenthusiastic at the moment. Even friends who don't struggle with winter say they are just done with it. Spring (and it had better be a proper one) can't come soon enough.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding thank you

You have to sign up for a month block. You can't then join in the middle of the month.

it's bad timing for a decision because it's just been such a downer of a week. I'll wait till the weekend and make a decision then.

with the shoulders, I actually think she is emphasising them too much in the workout. Maybe just inevitable if you're building strength? It does happen whenever I do a harder strength training programme. My calves and my shoulders have a tendency to get big.

it is annoying not being able to do the cardio properly because I rely on that to keep my brain going.

As I am typing, I am thinking this is really not the best workout programme for me...

Just adding because I know we've got some people here who are good on the physical fitness front

The physical challenge is probably working in the sense that I feel ready to lift heavier weights - but my shoulders have tendency to get big and they are already doing that.

I'm sure it's good for building up strength, but I don't like what it is doing appearance wise. Sounds shallow, but there we are.

Also, she does seem to be keeping up with the fancy stuff that I can't do so I'd be paying for about 70% of a usable exercise programme? Having paid for it does force me to do it though.