Does anyone suffer with SAD?

[Landof]

I am feeling a bit up and down at the moment, I definitely get a case of seasonal affective disorder and am wondering if anyone has any tried and tested tips on positive ways to get through it.

I have suffered from it in the past, I still do but not as severe as I did. For me regularly brisk walks, or any exercise, plenty of sleep, trying to eat healthily, and I also take magnesium supplement. Hope you are ok

*regular brisk walks

I sympathise. Winter is a bit shite. I totally agree with @Haribosweets78 though that getting outside as frequently as possible really helps. I also find taking Floradix at this time of year also makes a big difference for me.

I've had a few days off (national holidays where I am) recently and those and the weekends have been awful. Strangely, I get through the day OK when I go to work. I do wonder if the lack of structure is really awful for me in the winter. It's so hard to force myself to go outside when it's cold even though I presume that's what I need.

Yep, terribly and it seems to get worse each year.

I usually just sleep, lie on the couch watching TV/reading and sleeping for four months.
This year I'm so far not doing that.
I'm getting out, swimming, walks in the park, cinema meeting a friend etc.
If I am at home, like today, I try and keep active so I've cleared out a couple or drawers and cooked a curry.
Basically not slobbing constantly.

Yes. I hate the short days and long hours of darkness. Most mumsnetters hate summer though.

Yes, the mornings are the worst for me, I feel dreadful for the first couple of hours.
I have a light which I've just started using so hopefully that will help, I hate the short days and my energy levels are nearly zero.

@Rampantivy
Yes lots of people on here do seem to hate summer.
I don't understand I love summer.
At least its light which it can go days without being properly here near Glasgow.

I have a blue (cool) tone bulb in a lamp by my chair and have that on for several hours every evening.

Yes awful. Had to eventually go on anti d's and Dr also gave me vit d....its helping a lot

I can understand people not coping with excessive heat @ISpyCobraKai, but I don't understand why they enjoy long, dark evenings and gloomy days.

I hate "cosy", "snuggling" and candles, and very rarely drink hot chocolate.

I bought a lummie light last year - was about £100, but worth every penny. Put it on in the morning while I’m having breakfast - 20mins a day makes all the difference. I’ve heard you can get lightbulbs too but haven’t tested them myself.

Taking a vitamin d supplement and getting a walk in most days has also been helpful.

@Gwenhwyfar

I've had a few days off (national holidays where I am) recently and those and the weekends have been awful. Strangely, I get through the day OK when I go to work. I do wonder if the lack of structure is really awful for me in the winter. It's so hard to force myself to go outside when it's cold even though I presume that's what I need.

This really resinates with me at the moment. I am surviving work but I want to be alone and in bed at the weekend and I hate the constant letting people down but I can’t get up and out at the moment. I feel terrible. I suffered with this at the exact same time 2 years ago but not last year and I’m wondering if it was because I was out a lot more during lockdown when indoor places wernt a thing.

Yes. I use an SAD lamp and take vitamin D3 daily. 15 mins a day outside at least and a bit of an exercise routine. Taking a probiotic. Of all of these I recommend an SAD lamp the most. I think mine was from Matalan on Ebay.

Its useful to list what DOESN'T help too:

• binge eating chocolate or salted caramel
• copious amounts of red wine
• dwelling and not recognising it for what it is
• giving up all forms of exercise

That's hard won knowledge over the years!

I suffer with SAD and was diagnosed 4 years ago. I have a SAD lamp and take a large dose of vitamin D all year as well as B12, zinc and magnesium. I find structure to my days makes a huge difference. I use my SAD lamp when I get up at 5.30, I also have a daylight clock to get me up. By the time I get home from work it’s dark and I spend time in the greenhouse as I have lighting in there, I also sew in the winter and get out and about at the weekends. Exercise makes a difference to me too, I do HIIT 4 times a week and get my arse on my Peloton bike at least 3 times a week.

@RampantIvy
Same.
I mean I will snuggle up with my cats but only because it's ruddy freezing and turning the heating up costs a fortune.
Apparently the huns are making hot chocolate stations in their homes.
Right.

Snuggling up with cats is allowed as they are the best animals in the world. I adore cats.

Thank you for all of your tips!

I've never heard of a SAD lamp and just seen them on amazon, they seem reasonably priced so may give it a whirl.

I've toyed with a lumie before. Would people say they are worth the money? I could wait til black Friday.

Sorry to hear many of you suffer too and thanks to the first poster for asking if I'm OK. I am OK. I don't feel depressed or anything. Just a general meh mood and feel lethargic and not as motivated as normal.

I'm going to aim to get outside more I think as that does really help

Come and join us on our SAD support thread, I'm not completely sure how to link it though.

It's in the Mental health topic, and it's called SAD / feeling low in winter support thread.

I have a SAD lamp and take a few different supplements which are meant to help (zinc, magnesium, vitamins D & B12). I started on the supplements about three years ago after doing some reading up & the last three winters have definitely been better. I think just knowing it's an issue can really help - try to be kind and patient with yourself.

Yes we have a support thread running at the moment let me see if I can link it!

Just to add, my SAD lamp is a cheapo (think 20 quid?) and still really helped. Also I've known people who swear by weighted blankets, though they don't do anything for me.

[[https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/4349708-SAD-feeling-low-in-winter-support-thread?msgid=112557553#112557553 ]]