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.)

Other than vitamin D has anyone tried other supplements for SAD? I've seen reference to rhodiola and ashwagandha. Not tried the former but tried the latter as a powder supplement, it's gross and made me heave

Never heard of those two supplements, tbh. I think Vit D is the key one. St John's Wort too, maybe. And a general multivit too?

Magnesium is good if you struggle to sleep.

I have to really look after myself this time of year. If I’m ill on top of this general malaise then I find it so hard. Just had a horrid virus for weeks.
Eating lots of gut healthy food to strengthen my immune system but also there is a link to gut health and mental health so I figure this may help. So kefir, kimchi, kombucha and loads of veggies and fruit.

I’m irrationally angry that my sunshine for tomorrow has been taken away. Was so looking forward to a morning run in the sun. Makes such a difference to my mental health. Now we have cloud for two days then rain for a week. I’m in awe of people who like this weather!

Just a reminder that no one should take St John's Wort if they are taking antidepressants.

Can I ask if it's too late to take Vit D for it to have a positive effect?

I'm not sure if I suffer from SAD, but thus winter is due to challenging on a personal level so worried that my MH could be affected

SJW can also interfere with hormonal contraception.

Roses I know you can take higher doses short term to get Vit D levels up quickly, I was prescribed high doses for a short while when I had a non-healing fracture and then advised to stay on low dose long term which I forget to do until I feel shit

It is possible to overdo Vit D as it’s fat soluble (you’d need to take massive doses over several months to cause any issues tho) so best to read up properly on suitable dosages etc.

I’ve been having real problems sleeping these past few days. Getting off ok initially but then waking up repeatedly and given up trying to get back to sleep by 4am.

Hiya I always feel abit down in the dumps in October. Especially when it's one of those still days. Cloudy sky, no sun, no rain. It makes me feel really low. I tend to only be like it for a month. I hate winter though. I hate the icy paths, I hate the dark evenings, I hate not being able to put the washing out, I had the norovirus threat, I hate how many illness's my kids get. I always feel a relief as April approaches and I love April may and June. Xx

I did not know you could get 20% off lumie lamps if you declare it’s for sad. Thanks for the tip!.

Another bright and sunny day in Glasgow and I'm definitely getting out for a walk this morning. Best thing I bought last winter was a pair of fleece lined walking leggings, keep you toasty when it's so cold.

As for the "getting through it" tips, I find crafty stuff helps me too. I teach a sewing class at my kids' school once a week, and we're making little decorations. I do a lot of knitting too. Storing up good things to watch on Netflix.

5k plod done
Planning a coast walk later as we are on holiday near the sea
Slightly murky here but a bit of sunshine
Actually sleep well last night
So 🤞 that plenty of daylight and exercise is going to help

One of my favourite seaside things to do is look for seaglass, HobNobs. Amazing little twinkly sea jewels.

We'll have a look
I love walking by the sea

I definitely do have some kind of SAD but for me the worst part of the year is January.

November is not nice, I hate the abrupt change due to the clock going back and you suddenly loose an hour of daylight when coming back from work. I do really want the EU rules to stop this silliness being official and that the Uk will play along.

Mid-November and December is ok for me, with all the
Christmas preparations and lights everywhere I can cope.

But January-not only is everyone miserable anyway and only talks about diets, no drinks and pointless exercise routines they abondon just a week later, the weather is often more grey and it is colder than the other months, making going out difficult as cold affect my knee since an operation.

I'm the same @reluctantbrit, I can get through November and December ok-ish but January is just awful. February is pretty bad too, but I can hold on to the fact that it's nearly Spring.

So it's 1st November today, the start of the year's most depressing month.

And true to form, the weather here is grey, drizzly and dull. Milder, but I'd much rather have freezing cold and bright. Must get the light box out later. Have also taken my Vit D already. 51 days to the Solstice.

Very grey here too. I’ve had middle-of-the-night insomnia the past 5 days, and feeling very sleep deprived on top of it all and not coping well at all.

Yesterday was a good day, I have a few days off work, I spent time gardening outside which felt good. Not an option today with the rain.

Am going to try and find some productive things to achieve in the house, otherwise it’ll be too easy to slip into a day of duvet and internet rabbit holes.

@OtraCosaMariposa February is definitely the year’s most depressing month!

Is anyone else sleepy at 5:30? Like not just tired, but could actually fall asleep? I haven’t even had my tea by then but my body thinks I should be in bed!

Reading this thread has suddenly made an awful lot of things click into place. The last 3 years I've got progressively more depressed from October onwards and had no idea why, SAD makes perfect sense!
So I've just ordered a lightbox (Wowcher has a good offer on at the moment) and vitamin D spray and will be tackling this year head on.

Bright thoughts to everyone suffering

I agree ... I detest autumn !!! I can almost cope with winter and like the solstice as spring is on the way ... October and November .... yuk !!! ... Boo to the cosy brigade !

Just giving this thread a bump!

This thread has such great ideas, thank you. I always get really anxious and despondent in September, then rally a little in October but it’s very dependent on weather and I guess therefore light levels. I walked to work for many years and that helped but now I drive so I’m really noticing I feel a lot bleaker as I’m getting less daylight.

I’ve got a lumie alarm clock that helps and I am trying to keep running at least one evening a week. Otherwise I am in bed by 9, I just have no energy. I will look at magnesium again - have tried it in the past and felt it didn’t really agree with me but can’t remember why.

I do like the idea of trying to embrace some elements - early nights mean more reading time which is enjoyable but I do feel like I am missing out on having an evening and I hate being less sociable in the winter - in the summer I would be out several evenings a week.

Strength and light boxes to you all!

What a brilliant last paragraph! Cheered me up!!
I’ve struggled for years with depression/anxiety and yes, absolutely dread the dark grey rainy days, where everything seems so much more oppressive and gloomy.
Bright cold autumn/winter days are so uplifting; but it seems to have been raining and grey non stop here in East Sussex.
Thumbs up to you for starting this thread!

Meant to add that I also take vit d in a spray form; which seems to make a difference.
I take quite a few other supplements as well; as I have some other health issues.
I’ve also been researching a particular brand of Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng) (don’t know if I’m allowed to mention which one?)which helps alleviate anxiety and stress and boosts the immune system. (It doesn’t contain caffeine)
Also Krill oil, which is ... allegedly ... better than fish oil ... for helping regulate blood sugar and alleviating depression.
5-HTP can also help as it is converted into serotonin.
If anyone’s interested, I’ll update on when I start taking the ginseng and krill oil?
Only trouble is, I think I’m going to start rattling soon !
If you’re not into taking supplements, which I know can be very expensive, do check out a book called ‘Mad Diet’ (I know, bad name ...)
by Suzanne Lockhart.
It’s very informative about the connection with the diet i.e gut health, and mental well being.
Good read for the long evenings if you get the chance ...

Checking in here.

I've been feeling absolutely crap since Sunday. I've had depression in the past and was on medication but never thought about SAD until now.

Buy daylight bulbs or buy just one for a particular room..

www.lightbulbs-direct.com/article/choosing-daylight-bulbs/