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.)

Autumn I'm intrigued when you say that "30min productivity". What do you mean?

Welsh It seems to be a thing for me in winter. I don't get any chores done for days, then suddenly one day I'll perk up and get a whole bunch of stuff done in a mad half hour.

I added to my mad half hour by going to the supermarket at 9pm - good because it's quiet - and now I'm all set. Which is good, because the chances of having zero energy for this shit for another month are quite high.

I don't know what happens. Perhaps at some point the pills, the SAD lamp, the circumstances just lend themselves to productivity!

It ends very fast. But I've learned to wait for the mad half hour because otherwise things are like trudging through treacle just to tidy up.

I do now feel tired! Mad isn't it.

I’ve upped it, but couldn’t up it by much before I hit the maximum dose. It’s not all SAD it’s just unfortunate timing of a lot of things.

Yay for 30 mins of productivity though.

I was actually wondering what the deal is with maximum doses

Risk of serotonin syndrome is it?

My GP once said of my winter dose “if you start feeling like you’re getting high, you must reduce immediately”.

I had to stop myself saying HA HA HA HA HA no.

You can go higher on the anti depressant I’m on but only as an inpatient. The extra 50mg the GP added has really wiped me out tbh. I can’t imagine another 300mg on top of this.

How’s everybody else today?

Another one who struggles in the winter. November and December are the worst for me. This year is particularly bad, think I’m going to order a light box and get some vitamins.

It is sunny here today though and I was out for an hour with ddog. I don’t feel as down as I did earlier in the week.

Hi all.

I've walked a lot today, and it's been quite sunny here. I feel alright 🙂.

I'm terrible at taking my multi-vitamin, I think it contains vitamin D though. I'll check how much later, and hopefully more knowledgeable people can tell me if it's a lot or not.

Have worked six days on the trot
Feel like I haven't seen daylight
Have two days to play catch up

Hobnobs and Rafa, I hope you’re feeling better

I’m having a bit of that thing where I can’t work out if I should just give up doing all but the essentials for the next month!

@Autumnrose1 how do you mean?

I think I know what you mean. It’s giving in to it and pacing yourself vs trying to fight through it.

Made it to mass this morning and the advent prayer service this afternoon. And I managed to stay rather than leaving after 5mins.

I am with you all. And it is dear Mum's first anniversary in a few days time. No wonder I am teary.

Anyway, on the upside, it is only 20 days until the Solstice and in my head we will have crossed the Rubicon to longer days then. Gotta stay positive I suppose, but it isn't easy.

As for Christmas? It can take a hike. Different if you have young kids/grandkids I know, but for us it is just a load of baloney, and it is largely ignored! Sorry for being a Bah Humbug.

Best wishes for the Solstice to you all!

Just had a last at our caravan
Hate packing it away for winter... it like I really must acknowledge winter is here

Then I’ve got all the bedding to plough through with a snowballs chance in hell of getting it on the line

The 5o minute drive home in the dark and icy conditions felt like it was twice as long as usual
It probably was as I kept my speed down in case we hit black ice

As for all the traffic on the roads in the dark
...does no one want to stay in and Netflix
5-30
What were you all up to besides hoofing it up the a19

Dowser,

I'm in bed with the blanket on browsing the net. Bliss.

If you have a few bob to spare I'd throw the caravan bedding into a launderette for a wash and dry. Job done. Every little thing helps!

Rafa I made it to church and came home and had a nap straight after!

Seasidepebbles what a gorgeous name! I just mean, should I literally just give up on trying anything other than the essentials, work, eat, sleep, care for mum. There should be things like my usual regular workout in top of that, plus some volunteering which is casual as I have to fit it round shifts. Plus the flat is just constantly messy, it’s clean but it’s hard to keep it tidy in the first place as it’s tiny and has very little storage.

So not sure if I should just give up till better days come - I too find the Solstice a relief!

*before anyone suggests storage, there’s no room for more storage!

Sorry about your mum outsomnia. Hope the next few days aren’t too bad.

I’ve had to stop napping in the daytime. Every time I do I seem to wake up in a complete panic and it takes a while for the anxiety to subside.

@Outsomnia Big hug! What was your mum like?

@AutumnRose1, thank you, I love the sea, I’m a bit obsessed you may say 😂. What I decided to do this year is hibernate. And because I decided to do that, I am busier than ever in the evenings 🤣. I had envisaged cosy nights in with my P, we had some events planned, early nights, good food, but nothing mad. We split up, I cleared all his stuff out, deep cleaned everything and took up lots of classes at the gym and I’m going out all the time. So...🤷🏻‍♀️
@RafaIsTheKingOfClay I used to love my afternoon nap. I can’t nap since we split up. In fact, I can’t sleep very well either. This too shall pass.
Have a good week everyone!

I don’t normally nap. To quote Miranda Hobbs “they frown on napping at work”. 😂

This morning I did som stretching then some weights....so little by little, I’ll get there, hopefully.

DP has just started to blip.

So he's had a good talking to as I could see it happening - he'd started making excuses to not do things we'd agreed we were going to do every day.

He's been up early today, made himself do some activity (with help from me) and his mood is already lighter than it was a couple of days ago, as although there were rainy bits and it seemed pretty much twilight from 2pm, he has been kept near open windows and repeatedly distracted with something else to do each time.

He's even checked about the gym discount he gets through work - 25%. Which is excellent, as it takes the cost for me down to slightly less than I was paying for a cheaper gym that doesn't have nearly so many facilities. I'll know the resumed SAD attack is working if he actually gets around to taking out the joint membership.

Only just found you, really helpful thread. I struggle too in the dark. The best antidote for me is definitely exercise.

I had a few great years where I felt fine...it was the years I went skiing in Jan. It took me a while to make the connection. The week of light, fresh air and exercise was like a magic potion....shame it is too expensive to do every time and cannot take DC out of school anymore

Welcome newcomers
And this is definitely a snuggle/hot choc/sparkly lights free zone

Just found this thread and lots of it completely resonates with me. As I've got older I've found the clock change and reduction in daylight hours makes me me low and seriously grumpy.

I'm on the west coast of Scotland. We had some lovely sunny frosty days in November which really lifted my mood but it now feels like it's been dark and rainy for weeks. I'm struggling partly as I'm finding it hard to get out for a run in daylight.

I'm fed up with all the Christmas nonsense already. Been grumpy with the kids for wanting the tree up from 1 December, FFS. Lots of lovely things planned but I refuse to do 6 weeks of it.

Taking vitamin D but not making much of a difference.

Counting the days to the solstice and looking forward to getting to the end of January when I always feel better.

Just checking it say Hi to everyone 🙂.

I think my SAD light is making a difference. Do most people on here have one?