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Original poster

Clocks going back, SAD and The Dark.

206 replies

OtraCosaMariposa · 27/10/2019 09:06

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.)

OP posts:
LoonyLunaLoo · 27/10/2019 15:54

I’ll join you. I’m really lucky this year as we just returned from a holiday yesterday and have another at Christmas. After the terrible summer we had, it’s a life saver. I can’t tell you how much better I felt last week in the warmth and sunshine but now I’m back it’s back to vitamin d (4000 IU), St John’s Wort, magnesium, and a Berocca style multi vitamin everyday to try and keep on a level 😒

MollyMorals · 27/10/2019 15:58

@MrsSpencerGregson I’m sure I read in the instruction I got with the lamp not to wear sunglasses or tinted glasses.

LoonyLunaLoo · 27/10/2019 15:58

Oh and to top it all off my Reynauds has kick in and my fingers and toes are wrinkly and painful 🤬

Original poster
OtraCosaMariposa · 27/10/2019 16:04

@MrsSpenserGregson but you don't have to have the lamp shining directly into your face either. I mean looking right into it. I usually have mine shining onto the side of my face rather than straight into it.

OP posts:
HoliBobber · 27/10/2019 16:24

SAD sufferer here. A doctor recommended starting Vit D in August so that's what I do. If you think about it, daylight is declining already by then. Start early!!

I forgot and I noticed by September my energy was screwed this year. Once you get there it's hard to get out of it but isn't impossible. I've done it!!

Vitamin D and also Vitamin D spray top up
Light box - really helps, get a cheap one of ebay
A walk first thing - daylight also helps with sleep later
Eat lots of greens - not sure why, gut health? Really made me feel less depressed and more energetic

I find daylight hurts my eyes all year round so prefer to stay in, it's a vicious cycle, but a sunbed really helps ( I only do this when I am having a bad year)

Kyvia · 27/10/2019 16:37

My understanding is there’s 2 major ways we respond to/detect light, right, via our eyes/pineal gland that affectation hormones like serotonin/melatonin and sleep/wake cycles, and directly via skin which influences Vit D metabolism? Which is most important when it comes to SAD?

DaveMyHat · 27/10/2019 16:52

And also it's not about the sunshine as much. It's about the LIGHT. Not the heat. Even the brightest, sunniest winter's day is dark by 4pm.

Definitely.

Llamallamadingdong · 27/10/2019 16:55

Eek- first mumsnet post.

I have MH problems anyway but winter is really tough. I’ve never been a morning person but even worse when the clocks change.

I haven’t been out of the house all weekend (save for a 5 min walk to post office). I feel “wintery” and slow. I’ve done baking/crafting/playing activities with DC indoors.

I do have a lightbox but haven’t used in years (have dug out as a result of this thread). I was always hit and miss with it so I’m going to try and make it a consistent habit.

MrsSpenserGregson · 27/10/2019 17:23

@MollyMorals @OtraCosaMariposa Ah ok, thank you. Makes sense. I literally can't function in normal daylight without sunglasses - do you think the SAD lamp would be too bright, even if it was directed at the side of my face?

Great thread btw. And excellent criticism of "famalam" Grin

MollyMorals · 27/10/2019 17:26

I don’t know if this will help anyone but here’s a few things I do to see me through Nov-Feb. Nov-Feb are my worst months.

  • Use my lumia alarm clock and my light box daily
  • Take Vit D from July
  • Take magnesium
  • Plan my garden for the spring/summer and start growing begonias,
carnations, lobelia and sweet peas in the greenhouse.
  • Get myself outside when I come home from work and don’t sit in the
house. I know it’s tempting but the fresh air makes me feel better.
  • Walk my dog LOTS at weekends and although I hate the cold it
lifts my mood watching him have fun. The dog goes to doggy day care during the week btw, we don't just abandon him.
  • I exercise every day at home. This isn’t for everyone but it lifts my
mood.
  • I make garlands from dried fruit for Christmas and get myself out to
collect holly/fir cones etc
  • I’m a Celebrity keeps me going too Grin When that ends it’s nearly the
winter solstice and I feel I’ve crossed a bridge.
Iggly · 27/10/2019 17:26

I’ve had this the last few years and when I’m generally in a bad place I find it harder.

One of things that helped massively was having cold showers in the morning - only for a minute (after my normal shower) and trying to exercise more and eat better.

Hefzi · 27/10/2019 17:39

I have my lightbox beneath my monitor at work - I also have eyes that are unduly sensitive to bright lights. If anyone thinking of Vitamin D, H and B have the high dose and ultra high dose sprays in their penny sale atm: I picked up 2 of 15,000 micro whatsits for £8. I usually take a couple of Vitabiontic Ultra High daily, but money's tight atm, and each of the sprays has 100 doses, so I've got 3 months' (I double up) for £8 instead of the usual £15 I pay for Vitabiontics.

NellieTheElephant1 · 27/10/2019 18:20

Ah, here are my people! Vit D spray and St Johns Wort make it possible for me to function through the bleak winter months.

CuriouslyCuriously · 27/10/2019 19:03

I feel very sad. I can't go out when it's dark outside so it feels like an enforced end of the day and fuck all I can do about it.

I have no local friends or relatives so I can spend winter seeing Noone. And then I wonder, why am I here!

TwattingDog · 27/10/2019 19:27

Why can't you go out when it's dark Curiously? Is there anything that could help with that?

AllStarBySmashMouth · 27/10/2019 21:07

How do people use their SAD lamps? I have one but I struggle to find an effective way to use it. It's not big enough to light a room but using it in a room with artificial lighting on already has no effect.

TheSandman · 27/10/2019 21:24

It's not specifically a SAD light but I noticed a definite improvement when I started using an LED Lightbox with my art (I draw comics and do a lot of tracing copying during the course of a page). They're a lot cheaper than SAD lights - I'm not sure about wavelengths but working with the blue/white light right in my face must be doing something.

on Ebay they go from about £8 for an A4 sized lightbox.

Kyvia · 27/10/2019 21:32

I don’t know if it will help but I’ve been meaning to get this sorted for a while, get all the lightbulbs replaced with smart ones we can voice control, so have ordered the Philips hue ones that can do different cool/warmth as well as brightness settings, so can set them that everywhere is bright cool light in mornings. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Might help.

Delatron · 28/10/2019 15:50

Other thread has usual arguments on it about ‘stop moaning and get on with it’.

So bumping this thread and hoping other one dies!

Today was beautiful and nice to see the sun. I don’t have a Sad lamp but my lumiere clock has had such a positive effect that I’m going to investigate.

Coldest Halloween for 2 decades they are saying. Would have preferred it to stay mild for a bit longer but it’s not the temperature that really bothers me but the lack of light.

Original poster
OtraCosaMariposa · 28/10/2019 15:59

Stop moaning and get on with it - such useful advice. Hmm

Another bright and sunny day today and the same forecast for tomorrow so definitely another walk first thing. I am not liking the fact that it's almost 4pm and already getting dark.

OP posts:
dragongirlx · 28/10/2019 16:13

I am sat in my office watching the sun set and feeling miserable because I am not sure if I can do my usual walk on the way home because the park I walk through isn't well lit and it doesn't feel safe once the clocks go back.
However I have already started to take steps to combat the seasonal depression - light box in the evening, plus a walk in the morning and one at lunch to try and get sunshine. I can't wait till the light comes back and shall be counting the days

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 28/10/2019 16:14

I may have got a bit cross with the twats on the other thread Blush

Delatron · 28/10/2019 16:18

Oh I did too hobnobs.

But I remember the I hate summer thread initially(before they banned anyone who liked it over 18 degrees) and they were so antagonistic. It’s hot for about 3 weeks in this country whereas we suffer for months and months with this dark and gloom. Anywaywe have this thread now.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 28/10/2019 16:24

I would love to
"Just get on with it"
Hmm

SureTry · 28/10/2019 16:25

I'm glad I found this thread, it's reminded me to dig out my SAD light. I have dark skin and according to some articles I've read recently, I should be taking vitamin D supplements throughout the year but I'm clueless which ones to take. Also does it matter if you're breastfeeding or could I take any amount?