Clocks going back, SAD and The Dark.

[OtraCosaMariposa]

I know there are several of us on here who struggle a lot with the darker evenings so thought I'd start a thread to see how everyone is getting on.

Clocks went back today and this is usually for me the start of the gradual slide into crapness until the Solstice when we turn the corner and start heading back into the light. November is hell. The first three weeks in December is more hell. But I'm determined this year will be better.

I have my light box. Today in my part of Scotland is bright and sunny so I'm off out for a walk in a bit to get some sun on my face. I've been taking high dose Vit D for a month already.

(Oh and if you're looking for a thread to witter on about hygge and cosy and snuggling on the sofa with hot choc and the famalam piss off. This thread isn't for you.)

Hello! I have vsome questions, I hope you don't mind.

I suspect I have SAD, have you been diagnosed? I have a tendency to not want to go outside (at all) during these times and the blessed relief when the evenings start getting lighter (they bother me more than the dark mornings).

Please could you recommend a good vitD and tell me where you got your light box?

Yes, the clocks going back signal the start of this for me.
This year I have my lumiere alarm light thing which helps a bit. Masses of vitamin D. Have rearranged my work a bit so I can do a run at least one morning in the light so hoping that will help.
Might try meditation. I just feel so exhausted all the time and never want to go out. Driving the kids around to after school activities in the dark and rain is the worst.

No, no formal diagnosis. But I'm in my late 40s and it's definitely a pattern for me. Last year was bad enough for the doctor to prescribe anti-depressants. I don't want to go down that road again so am taking steps to help myself. Also totally agree that it's the dark evenings which get me. I'm in scotland and by the middle of December it's dark by 4pm. Miserable.

My light box is a Beurer one, think it came from Amazon. Cost around £50 and I use it on mornings when it's grey and miserable, you just put it on as you're on the laptop or watching telly or whatever, you don't need to look into to, just have it close enough so the light is on your face. My Vit D is high strength stuff from Home Bargains, cheap as chips and I take 2 per day. 2000 IU I think. Mindfulness is super fashionable at the moment but it helps too, love the Headspace app.

Also agree it's not the cold which bothers me. It's the dark. A bright sunnny and cold day is great. it's the grey, dull, never properly light days which are a killer. And we get a LOT of those in the UK.

Place marking! It's sunny here today too (also in Scotland) but I imagine my commute back from work next week will be horribly depressing. I wish they just left the clocks alone.

I think this might be me....watching with interest.

Ps your last paragraph made me snort with laughter!

Does vitamin D help? I did some research and everything online said it doesn't

Thanks for the reminder - I’m rubbish at taking supplements despite having had serious issues with vit D deficiency including previous poor healing of a fracture
, fatigue and recurrent mental health crises in mid winter. SAD did get mentioned in one of my MH assessments, although I’m not a huge fan of MH diagnoses.

I do try to get out for 30 minutes in daylight whenever possible. It’s difficult when working sometimes though, as you work right through daylight hours.

When/how do you use your lightbox? I’ve also read about wearable light visors that sound a bit more flexible.

Btw suffering with lack of daylight in winter isn’t mutually exclusive with also finding some mindful joy/peace in winter activities - that kind of thing would probably be a valid acceptance & commitment therapy type response. Obviously not helpful for the ‘physical’ side but as part of managing our emotional response to things. I’m just thinking I ordered myself some new winter pyjamas the other day, some are on back order, but I did get a sense of joy when one pair arrived, I think that’s part of self-care through winter, making the best of it.

Some years I’ve booked a foreign holiday in November/December and had some proper sun. I’ve generally done much better those years. Shame it’s not a practical (affordable!) thing every year!

I use Vitabiotics high dose Vit D (sorry if we aren't meant to advertise!).

I don't actually know if they do any good, maybe it's a placebo! I darent stop taking them to find out, it's just fingers crossed and hope for the best

We're out West near Wales, not sure but I think the light quality is better than SE England. Have you lived in Scotland a long time?

Same here. I've been better since I got a sunrise alarm clock, and also a horse, which gets me outside whatever the weather. Expensive solution though!

Much needed thread. I am really worried going into this winter as I have been struggling a lot with my mental heath as it is so add in SAD and it’s a bad combination.

I have my light at the ready.

I have told my sister we are taking the children on a walk tomorrow so I have to get out the house and into what daylight there is.

I have a sunrise alarm clock too, and it's definitely helped me.

Another Scot here with diagnosed SAD, I’m really lucky as I have the bonus of general depression too!
I take VitD all year round, as suggested by psychiatrist, and my daylight alarm clock is out now too. I don’t need it over the summer, but the dark mornings really go for me.

I’m having a week in the sun in early December in the hope that helps, I think I was born 2000 miles too far north as I absolutely thrive in the sun, summer or winter

Unfortunately winter holidays aren't an option with kids at school. To be honest I'm not sure about the medical evidence but I know it helps me. If it's placebo I dont care!

I'm in really want ideas how to cope this winter

Another sufferer here. Dread this time of year and already feeling it. Due to a decline in mental health already this year I've just started on anti depressants so not sure if they will help. Been taking massive doses of vitamin D since Spring. Luckily I have a holiday in the sun in January to look forward to but it will be a hard slog to that point. The darkness just finishes me off.

Thanks for info, have ordered light box recommended, (is on offer on Amazon ) and vitDs.

@OtraCosaMariposa This is the first time in about 18 years that I’m getting winter sun because my kids are finally of an age to be left. It used to help me, fingers crossed it still does

I'm on long term antidepressants, but get a MASSIVE SAD dip every year anyway.

I have a Lumie lamp - VAT free if you declare you're using it for SAD.

I also take a pile of vitamins and supplements every day for migraine prevention, so I need to up the Vit D dose really.

It's gloriously sunny and icy cold in Cornwall this morning - my absolutely favourite weather - but I have about 9 hrs of computer work to do today 😭. I'll hair the dog for a walk in a bit then get cracking on my work. I think I'll get the lamp out today though.

If it helps people, I use my lamp on the morning when I'm drying my hair and putting some make up on. It's also epic for plucking bastard chin hairs....!

Oh and if you're looking for a thread to witter on about hygge and cosy and snuggling on the sofa with hot choc and the famalam piss off. This thread isn't for you.)

That’s just made me laugh.

Think I might need this thread. What I thought was 18months of being on top of my mental health came crashing down about a month ago. Feeling very unprepared for the changing of the clocks. It’s sort of snuck up on me.

Been out for a walk and sat in the sun with a cuppa
Hung washing out to dry
Just feel so nice having some sun in my face

I think with everything mental health related it's finding what works for you. For me, a walk in the morning when it's not raining helps a lot. Even if I have to force myself to go out.

The reason I mentioned the Hygge-Huns is that they always pop up on threads about people hating the dark and winter with their hot chocolate and blankets. They just don't get it. If getting through the dark nights of winter was as simple as hot chocolate and a few fairy lights wouldn't we all be doing it?

Hi everyone, I'm here too. I have my SAD light (a recent purchase), and a feeling that my MH always dips around about now.

Hey, I'm all up for hygge and hot chocolate. I love the cold But it isn't a way to cope with SAD, so the huns can definitely fuck off.

I actually do love all the hygge stuff

But that's almost certainly because the antidepressants let me! Sertraline from Sept -March and my Lumie are both essential. The Sertraline makes all the difference and I can't stay awake without using my lamp (about 14 hours sleep if I have a day without).

I don't really find that vitamin d makes a difference but magnesium does to me, I'm exhausted without. I've also realised that not letting myself sleep too much helps - 8-9 hours and I'm OK but more sleep makes me more tired.

I do expect to have a couple of days where I can't get up, usually this week and then mid Jan, but I feel I've got a handle on managing the SAD now.