2024/25 SAD thread

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

Link to last year’s thread

Hi again, I thought I’d start a new thread for this season of SAD 😭. It’s definitely starting to feel autumnal here 🥶.

If you’re new this year, please join us for tips to get through winter, chat and general moaning!

The sun actually came out yesterday in London...in fact at school pick up time, I sat in my car with the sun streaming in. It was glorious.

Back to the oppressive grey skies today...and I also had to visit the local rubbish tip this morning so all in all not the most lovely day so far.

Joining ready for the seasons changing! Put the house into autumn mode, time to get the SAD lamp out. This thread really helped last year ☺️

I have PMT. Nothing positive to say that isn't a rant so I won't say anything 😄

I will just cryptically say I hate people IRL wasting my time 😂

Did some retail therapy and bought a second SAD lamp with timer. It was cheap (£27) so hoping it's not tat.

Also bought an infrared mini heater on the off chance I can keep heating costs down over winter.

@PamperGoals2024 I hear you. I am in a total grump too.

I decided to put my lumie alarm clock to use last night, it didn't wake me up but I guess it's going to take some time to kick in? Feeling very meh, so I'm going to do some research and get some supplements

So, almost 7 days of miserable, dark skies and hideous rain. I am WFH and if I didn't have an online meeting, I'd just stay in bed and sulk. I think I will have my Friday wine very, very early today 😭

Another grey day here too. I was utterly miserable yesterday with PMT. I am glad its the weekend though. Less cranky today or trying to not let things get to me as much!

Oh no! It’s bright and sunny here but bloody cold and windy. Still, I’ll be able to get a nice walk with the dog at lunch time. Yesterday was hideous! I’ve also discovered my SAD lamp makes a great back light to make you look better on Teams 😂.

Haha that's brilliant. Clearly positioning mine wrong!

My new one arrived, quite pleased as it has a timer and a dimmer which I think will be useful for evenings. I'll leave the standard one at work.

Peak of sunshine here. Busy day tomorrow of appointments.

We have blue skies and sunshine 🌞 ☀️ 😁 i feel so much better. I hope you all have some sun too

You need to place it just behind the computer (on a low setting for your new one so you don’t blind yourself!) 😂.

@lyingonthebeach we have sunshine too 😃. I’ve put the heating on for an hour though for the first time this season 🥶.

Ive had depression for years, but its just over the past 5 or 6 years whereby I become worse at this time of year. Could this be sad and what helps if anything

A lot of people find they have a dip in energy around this time and it really kicks in around November. Daylight hours start to go down from late July until 21st Dec. The big dip is often after the clocks change, mid November time.

For me it's a drop in energy, appetite and a sense of dread. If I ignore it and go down the route of unhelpful coping mechanisms for too long, I feel depressed and in the past have had panic attacks.

Things that help - a bit of time using a SAD lamp, getting daylight first thing, regular exercise, vitamin D. Some people take antidepressants.

This thread is helpful as for a long time I'd have the seasonal amnesia where I totally forget in the summer how different winter feels then am knocked for six!

Love that @Idratherbepaddleboarding I'll have to try it.

Have major can’t be bothered itis today

Every winter I forget how hard it is to do chores in winter. But it is definitely an early start to that feeling.

@PamperGoals2024 I’ll have plenty of chance to make use of it next week as I have 3 days of training via Teams 😭😴.

@T1960 welcome! I have regular depression on top of SAD so it is definitely possible. My number one tips are buy a SAD lamp, take alllll the supplements and keep exercising!

Brought my SAD lamp to the office today. Haven't used it before in this job as last year I was WFH, so it is bound to provoke some curiousity/questions. Usually I manage to sell them to several people!

Haha yes it's quite bright. I don't have anyone sat behind me so that's okay. Mostly I've had people say that lights really bright and then I explain what it is. Some people say are they any good etc. Should setup a pyramid scheme 😂

Feeling strangely motivated and okay today - which is nice!! Had a horrid cold for the last three days so I think being shot of that is nice

@DropOfffArtiste I’ve “sold” a few too! I’ve recently moved offices so the questions are starting again but no one has said anything negative about it!

It’s absolutely pouring down here again and I felt very rubbish and tearful this morning, even though I can’t really cry due to my anti depressants. My Teams training didn’t start until 10 so I was tempted to stay in bed after dropping DS at his bus but I forced myself to do my morning weights routine which made me feel a lot better. Now I’ve got the SAD lamp on full strength (making me look lovely and bright on screen 😂). I just wish I didn’t have to sit here all day in front of the computer!

@Idratherbepaddleboarding Sorry to learn that you feel so rubbish. I really get the teary/stay in bed feeling. Sending sunny thoughts.🌞
@itwasnevermine enjoy your boost 💪

I can relate. I was in a great mood and did tonnes of cleaning yesterday and then has insomnia. I've now hit a wall and am due on tomorrow. Still got work to do so reaching for some caffeine.

Today was tough, despite the SAD lamp. I felt like I had been hit by a brick about 3pm and home in my PJs by 7pm