to ask for your tips on dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder?

[ohbigdaddio]

I love summer and dread the dark evenings every year! I feel more positive in the summer months, have more energy and like enjoying the garden late into the evening. Already I am starting to feel hemmed in, tired and low, and I know this is just the beginning!

I'm asking for any tips you have because I am also starting my first IVF cycle this week, which is daunting, but combined with darker evenings feels even more overwhelming. It's so important for me to keep my mood positive at the moment so any advice greatly appreciated.

Do you have an SAD lamp?

Also try vitamin D supplements, fish oil supplements for the omega acids and maybe take a general b vitamin like brewers yeast. They all help for me

I try to make sure I go outside every day. I haven't tried the lamp yet but have read good things about them.

Definitely that time of year! I feel like I add things to my SAD strategy every year, so...

Vitamin D supplements

Lumie lights are my total saviour (I have a big one for home and a portable one for travel/work) - cannot function without them

As much exercise as you can

Generally being accepting of yourself - if you can't manage all of something you usually would then do as much as you can and don't feel bad that you can't do as much in November as you can in July

Tell people - so much easier & eases the anxiety when you know you don't have to start from scratch to explain when there is a day where you just can't function. It can be really matter of fact - 'the lack of light means I have less seratonin & too much melatonin so I'm less happy and more sleepy', and then more detail for people who need to understand more (or send them here - bit.ly/2wt6sJ2 - has definitely helped people understand what I'm going through)

As much natural light if possible (if you work in an office and need to move to sit by the window, do it! if you can change your commute to include more light, do it - made a huge difference to me to not commute by tube any more)

Eat as healthily as you can - but realise that sometimes you'll just give in to the biscuits and that's fine (there is also research to say that SAD sufferers need more carbs, so I'm all over that!)

If it starts to really affect you, go to your doctor. I totally resisted until it got really awful and was so glad I did, I'm now on SSRIs Sept-March and they've made the difference between a few days a week where I couldn't cope and a few days a year. Maybe not for everyone, but I'd definitely have a chat with your doctor about it now in relation to the IVF so you have an idea up front of what to do if both become a stress at the same time.

I'm a bit of a SAD geek, sorry for the long post!!

As much time outside as possible. If the skies are blue and you can get out for a walk or sit out with a cuppa, that helps.

I'm trying to embrace the dark. I'm buying fairy lights and a quilt and a lovely mug to only get out in winter.

It is hideous though and you aren't alone. I struggle every year.

Sad light has basically changed my life in winters, really makes me feel so much better.
I also try and get out at least once a day at lunchtimeish when it's light and go for a walk or potter around the garden get some light on me.

I have one of those lights that mimics sunrise, I always go outside at lunchtime, and I take vits B, C and D. It makes a big difference, but I still feel more tired than in summer. I just think winter is for hibernating (if only my boss and clients agreed)!

Thanks all, I have a SAD lamp...maybe I need to start using it already?
I don't have the Lumie alarm clock though...they are pricey but every year I do think I ought to get one!
Thanks peppykoala but I won't be able to take SSRIs whilst doing IVF (or, hopefully, if I get pregnant!)

Sorry ohbigdaddio that's sort of what I meant! - to talk to the doctor about how you might be feeling with SAD while doing IVF & what strategies you might put in place for non SSRI help! I did think when I read it back I might have worded that wrongly...oops! (fingers crossed for the IVF btw).

I agree with the lumie alarm clock, its the only way I can get out of bed in winter, I got a reconditioned one about 10 years ago and I only had to change the bulb when the cat knocked it off my bedside table!
Also daylight/super bright LED bulbs in every room, my house has to be as light as possible or I feel claustrophobic and anxious, everything looks better and tidier under bright light :)

I agree with what has been said, I have been using my SAD lamp for a few weeks now and it really helps. Any sign of sun and I am trying to get out for a run or walk.