2025/26 SAD thread

[Idstillratherbepaddleboarding]

It’s 1st September tomorrow so we’re back for another year’s SAD thread.

Welcome all old and new who struggles in the cold and dark months for advice and general moaning!

The only rule is no talk of snuggling under blankets, crunching in leaves (which will realistically be a soggy wet mulch, or pumpkin spiced anything!

Advice from previous years’ threads:

A SAD lamp can help as can a daylight alarm clock.
Try to get outdoors when the weather/ light allows it.
Try to keep up with your exercise routine or start a new one!
Remember to take your vitamin D and multi vitamins.
Try to have something to look forward to.

It’s pouring with rain again today FML, I wish I could hibernate!

Sorry to those who are unwell, do you have kids that have just gone back to school? I think that’s where I always get September germs from.

I’m noticing the seasons affecting me more as I get older, so am looking into SAD for the first
time really. Is there such a thing as a SAD lamp that doubles as a wake up daylight lamp? I can’t seem to find one, but it seems somewhat obvious to me that people who have one, would probably value the other and I don’t really want to have both kicking around.

Oh my gawd. This weather really isn't letting up. Such a shock to the system after the summer. Come on... Please give us a brighter warmer day.

Has anyone booked any winter sun holidays? I’m looking at a March trip to a Pilates resort in Fuertaventura. Running is a big help to me mood wise, quite sociable because I belong to a club and do feel better afterwards, plus keeps the weight down as I do tub out easily.

Anyone have any strong opinions about Beurer or Lumie SAD lamps?

Unfortunately not @fluffythecat1 I’d kill for some winter sun 😭.

For those asking about SAD lamps, mine is an ancient Amazon cheapie so I can’t be of much help sorry but I do want a new one this year so need to get looking.

So jealous that some areas of the country are experiencing temperatures in the 20s 😭😭. All we have is rain, wind and 13°c 😭.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding yes the kids brought the lurgy home. Delightful and very caring of them. I'm afraid we had sun yesterday but I think one glorious day makes it worse in the long run. It's just confusing and you end up lower than you were to start with. It's back to shite weather today.

@fluffythecat1 we haven't the spare dosh for some winter sun this year but it definitely helps having things to look forward to. A couple of years ago we go away for some early winter sun and it helped me enormously.

I downloaded the couch 2 5k app rather optimistically last week but any intention of trying to start a new routine is currently out of the window due to all the snot. I am still hopeful I can start doing it soon. I did manage to walk to my therapy appointment yesterday. Every little counts. Haven't moved out of bed yet today though... 😬

Hope everyone has an easy weekend. Stay kind to yourselves! X

@mrsdiddlydoo ahhh, it’s always the kids, germy little things!

Exercise (when you’re better) is definitely really helpful, I did a pole dance class and practising at home yesterday and I felt awesome last night!

Today though, I feel like I’m already hitting rock bottom and it’s only September!

It’s pouring down and the puppy is past ready for his walk so is all hyper and jumping on me with his extra sharp puppy claws. He’s just been out for a wee for 2 seconds and come back in with muddy paws so I’ve had to wipe the floor. None of the is his fault of course. We’re gonna have to get bundled up and face the rain though 😭.

DH and DS wanted a cooked breakfast from the local shop and the price has gone up to £7 just for a small takeaway breakfast. It used to be £3.75! Even a basic treat feels like it’s becoming out of reach with all the other increased costs. Struggling to make it to the end of the month without running out of money and we both work full time, in jobs we hate, on decent salaries 😭.

Honestly, I’m just done with it all!

Yesterday brought an unexpected last burst of summer at 22 degrees! It was quite difficult day visiting my mum's grave but I felt more able to cope as it was warm and sunny. The previous time was grey and wet and matched my mood just right.

Sorry you had a tough day @Idontknowhatnametochoose 🙁. Hope you got through it ok.

The weather’s just getting worse here as the day goes on, I just want to go to bed!

Thanks. It's rubbish here today too. Grey and raining. So uninspiring.

I had lumie previously and it was very good. I’ve just ordered this mini version to keep on my desk but via Boots website which have £10 off plus HEALTH15 takes additional 15% off (and also go though Cashback site-I use Quidco) so only £42.49.

www.lumie.com/products/mini?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22698133864&gbraid=0AAAAAD_riimm30bfK34wRa-6Qd29Ninjk&gclid=CjwKCAjwobnGBhBNEiwAu2mpFDFwk-WjcengU1fLgBFkHPbP-ZdhKiiLclZTcUjKn94s3nkz0Jb-TRoCTrwQAvD_BwE

Loving the sunshine today!

I have a very old sad lamp that was my mum's. It probably isn't that good but I seemed to benefit from it last year.

When does everyone start using them and how long for?

After the horrendous rain yesterday I am currently sat in the sun in my garden and loving it.

Lurgy is still with me (almost certainly given to me either by my own DS or one of the ones I volunteer with).

Hate being thrown around mentally by the weather and SADS definitely worse year on year, I used to feel ‘fed up’ when seasons changed, now it’s a major descent into depression so for me it’s definitely something that’s worse every year

It was lovely here too yesterday and I even got to sit in the garden for a bit and read my book. Even so, I literally hit rock bottom yesterday, thank god I have my doctors appointment today.

@Idontknowhatnametochoose , I use mine on dark days for an hour on the morning and later one when it starts getting dark at 4pm, I use it for another hour at 3pm. You do need to be carefully as if you use them for too long, you get a horrible “wired” feeling.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding hopefully the Dr will help.

I'm just back from a few days of Portuguese 🌞 and warmth - bliss. It's given me a boost which will hopefully help for the next few weeks. Autumn is definitely here😣

Today is cold but lovely and sunny so I'll gladly take that.

I hope your appointment goes well today @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding

The first mist here this morning but the sun has quickly burnt it off and it looks from the forecast as though it is sun all week so that has really boosted me. Still lurgified so will sit out in the sun rather than doing long walks.

Have two loads of washing to get on the line, drying washing outside always makes me happier.

Thank you, the doctor increased my Sertraline to 75mg, which the previous doctor that I asked to so that said was impossible 🙈. I know that 100mg is too much and 50mg not enough but 75mg is perfect. He had said that splitting a tablet is not allowed but it is!

She also referred me to the eating disorder clinic and I have to go for bloods and an ECG next Tuesday. Hopefully if I can deal with both issues, they’ll both improve as they feed off each other.

Well done @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding It can be hard advocating for what you need at the doctors. Hopefully the 25mg increase will help. Such stupid advice from the first gp. There's more than one way to achieve a 75mg dose. At least it's sorted now. I only ever change my dose 25mg at a time. Fingers crossed the tests and your referral together with the increased dose help you move in the right direction for you.

I'm so over my bad cold. Every day I hope to feel better but I haven't yet. Maybe tomorrow.

@Brightvoyager thankyou so much for the lamp advice. What a good deal you've bagsied. I am torn between the mini and the vitamin l Lumie which I think is the next size up. Just waiting to be paid and then I will order one.

@mrsdiddlydoo thank you, I never know what to say so I wrote it all down and just sort of thrust the note at the doctor 😂.

The Sad lamps do nothing for me. I just take one day at a time during these long, cold winter months.

Joining you for the annual solidarity.

I find exercise in the morning really helps me, and avoiding my phone until I’ve done my workout.

@CalmConfident morning exercise definitely helps, I just can’t get into it as it means having a shower in the morning and evening and I’m too lazy for that 😭. The increased medication is making me a bit more myself though thank god.