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| The dead of winter in Muskoka (A 6am pic snapped from our kitchen) TAKEN: JANUARY 16th, 2025 |
I don't know about you, but as a person that suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) the darkness within the days of winter is something I seriously struggle with.
For those that aren't familiar with the condition, it is categorized as a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons. My symptoms generally begin when the clocks fall back for daylight savings time, worsen over the holiday break, and begin to lighten once the days begin to get longer in March.
It took me years to understand what was happening but once I did, I decided to battle it head on.
I do my very best to keep my mood and body motivated. I have often joked here that during the winter months I end up in the bedroom closet, with a blanket over my head, eating gravy from a ladle.
Aside from personal motivation to overcome symptoms, I will admit that my 'happy' lights work really well for me. I know some people don't believe in light therapy, but I swear by it. For over ten years now, my ‘happy’ lights automatically come on in the house to trick me into thinking the sun is rising, when in fact it is pitch black outside.
A commitment to light therapy, and the fact that I can afford to give myself a good jolt of vitamin D in the last week of November, are two of my blessings. A fall trip into the sun and self-awareness are key. By the time I travel (mid-April) for my birthday, I feel I have come out the other end.
As I am preparing to hop an airplane this weekend, I am pleased to report that my inner darkness has lifted.
So here's to a really great six months of sunshine, until this vicious cycle begins again.
PS: Be sure to stop by tomorrow, to read where the jet plane is taking me, to celebrate my making it through winter!
I am so glad you have found tools to help you move through SAD in a positive way! Can't wait to see where you're heading!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting through another winter! I understand completely.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were stationed in Iceland, my wife had wicked SAD (since there was very little daylight during the winter). I, on the other hand, liked all the darkness. She accused me of being part vampire.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I have SAD, but when we turn the clocks back and it starts getting dark earlier, it makes me scatterbrained. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, even though i think your hiding under a blanket drinking gravy from a ladle idea has a lot of merit.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have figured ways to deal with your SAD.
ReplyDeleteDonna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
I had not heard of light therapy but I think if it works, I wouldn't question it too much. I don't have any type of SAD but sometims I find sunny days annoys me but that's just me being grumpy.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.