S.A.D.

Runemist34 started this discussion · 11/27/2009

Hey guys, So, just wondering...is there anyone else who get's affected by the winter? You know, that whole sad, depressed, I-just-want-to-sleep kind of feeling? Living on (or in) the coast of BC, we tend to get a lot of rain. I haven't seen the sun in weeks! Haha, that sounds pretty harsh, but it's not been a nice winter thus far. And I say winter now because we only have two seasons: A lot of rain, and a bit less rain! So, I tend to be inside all the time, bored and stir-crazy, it's cold and dark, and...well, my natural depression picks it all up pretty good. What are your treatments of this? I haven't touched the pole for several weeks (even though I know I should!), both trying to give my shoulder some rest (I've got tendonitis...again!) and because feeling unhappy makes me not want to do stuff. I don't want to keep doing this! I keep falling out of my hobbies for the winter, and it makes me unhappy! I've got the whole month of december to dance, and I know I won't unless something changes! Bah, sorry, I sound whiny, don't I? Help me girls and guys! I gotta get out of this funk!

19 replies

chemgoddess1 · 11/27/2009
I know I will get flamed for this but tanning at least once a week really helps me with this. Usually by February my husband and I were at the verge of divorce until we both started tanning during the winter. Also, they have just come out with the compact fluorescents for reptiles that duplicate the sun. The bulbs run about $15 a piece but it may be worth it to replace some of your bulbs in the house with them.
Runemist34 · 11/27/2009
Actually, I have heard that tanning works for some people, because it simulates the sun...the only thing for me is that I'm about as white as a sheet, and don't think I would look all that good tanned...and I'd never thought of using lights for lizards! I should stick one in my lamp on my desk! Hehe. Anyone else have some ideas? I love hearing different ideas to things 😉
litlbit · 11/27/2009
S.A.D. Lights are prescribed for the seasonal affective disorder, they are covered by insurance. My husband has one because he gets really bad during the winter months and his medication doesn't work as well without it. They are prescribed in lux...5,000, 10,000 depending on how bad your S.A.D. is. I used to fill those orders for Docs. when I worked for a Durable Medical Equipment company. The lights they have now are quite a bit smaller than they used to be...they can sit right on a desk. You only need to sit with it on for 20 minutes. My husband turns it on when he checks his e-mail in the morning before going to work. If I'm having a bad or dragging day I'll turn it on and get a boost myself! LOL I have two friends that rent them every year. You don't need a prescription to rent one and there is no time limit to rent. Insurance however will buy it for you if you are diagnosed and prescribed by a physician. They are AWESOME! We even use them on residents in long term care!
Kittenesca · 11/28/2009
Hi there, I have suffered from SAD a lot of my life (growing up in Michigan). This year, I felt the heaviness and lack of motivation to do anything coming on again, and stumbled upon the light therapy lamps and bought one. I kid you not, within a week the depression was gone. I use it every day and notice a big difference in my energy levels. The website where I found the lamps is fullspectrumsolutions.com. There are probably a lot of others. I hope you find relief--SAD sucks so much, it's like you're not even living. I've heard 30 min. of aerobic exercise in the mornings also helps (haven't tried it). Good luck! 🌸
Runemist34 · 11/28/2009
Well, interesting to have so many good reviews for the lamps! Unfortunately, "covered by insurance" probably doesn't apply to me, but I might check it out! I might look in to the cardio in the morning...I want to try getting more exercise this month, and I might try it and see how things go. I know with the general depression (and anxiety) is helped by exercise, so overall it might be better. I'll see how it works, and let you guys know, eh? And if there are any more suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
byrdgrrl · 11/28/2009
There's a company called Gaiam that has a bunch of different full-spectrum lamps and other SAD related stuff. http://www.gaiam.com
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Veena · 11/28/2009
When I lived in North Dakota and Minnesota I was affected by SAD, I found that once I had started pole dancing I didn't have as much trouble with it. It would get pretty bad before that. Its funny now...I live in sunny California and I find myself really missing those cloudy days, all the sun is kinda annoying to me, ☀️ but I wonder if I would get really depressed if I moved back to the clouds 🤔
Former member · 11/28/2009
hi hunny! im so sorry you've been having issues lately 🙁 for me, i'll put on a feel good movie, force myself to take a shower and get dressed in jeans (not my SV sweatpants i practically live in lol), blast one of my favorite songs or go for a drive just to get out of the house. maybe you could invite some friends over to boost your spirits and have a pole jam or something. those lights that the other girls suggested sound really wonderful 🙂 i hope you find some relief soon!! xoxo
FreeTheSun · 11/28/2009
I don't have the official "light therapy" lamps but I used daylight bulbs (the energy efficient kind you can get a bartells, home depot, etc) and those help me a lot. Buy them in bulk sets of 3 or more and they aren't very expensive either especially considering they are supposed to last on normal use for about 5 years. Who knows, I've only had them for a year and 1/2 but it made a huge difference last year and is helping dramatically this year as well. I've also heard that the tanning thing works but considering I am corpsely pale and at a rather high risk of skin cancer I figure I shouldn't risk it but sometimes I consider it but never have. I have some feel good movies/music lists. I use music more than movies cause I have a lot of stuff to get done but I have to have various playlist with different types of music because sometimes one list doesn't help when another does. It just depends. I also try and make myself accountable to other people who will give me grief if I flake out of things. So for pole I will tell my BF or friend or someone, "I'm gonna pole today, make sure I do it." Then later in the day they remind me and give me slight grief if I haven't done it or am trying to get out of it because I feel totally blah and sort of like a blob or slug. I also try to do things that I know make me happy. So I bake a lot in the winter because even though I've feeling blah as I start, as I keep going I start to feel better because I give almost all my baking away to friends and I know how much they enjoy it and so that starts to make me feel better. Or I go wander for a bit alone. Just wandering aimlessly (rain or shine) watching the world and thinking. It is somewhat depressing because you dwell on things or you see people being all cheery and you're get annoyed that you're not and you can't really help it, but after walking and thinking till your legs are ready to fall off, you tend to get it out of your system and start to notice the crisp breeze, the sound of your steps, and all these random little things that somehow cheer you up slightly. Obviously due to the long time commitment for the walks it is prob best done on the weekends. That is all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Layla Duvay · 11/28/2009
Yeah, you West Coasters have had some REALLY sucky weather lately!! My condolences. I get pretty suicidal and/ or homicidal by February. One thing that really helped was taking 1-2000 mg a day of vitamin D. Perked me right up! Sometimes, I will just revel in my melancholy--you know, read a vampire novel, dress totally goth for a few days, listen to Fever Ray, watch some depressing movies like Othello or Hamlet ☀️ or something and it (conversely) cheers me up!
carriej · 12/11/2009
Great suggestions so far ladies! I start feeling like crap usually in January and February. I never noticed the trend before my pointed it out to me one winter. I was complaining and depressed and she said, "Well, it is February you know!" When I asked her what she meant, she reminded me that I get this way every winter. It hasn't hit me yet this year but I know the feeling. I have found that light (natural, tanning, whatever) helps. The tanning is great for me since my dermatologist recommended it for my skin issues anyway (my skin probs can get really severe without it) , it feels like I'm on a 15 minute vacation at the beach, and it has the light factor. Plus, just recognizing the depression can help.
byrdgrrl · 12/12/2009
Some one else mentioned Vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight really helps your body manufacture Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also good for your immunity. I try to get at least 30 minutes a day outside in the sun. I realize that that's pretty easy living in Arizona, but it's something to think about.
Runemist34 · 12/15/2009
Aww, Muse, that was great 😉 I SHOULD know more about depression, since I've had it a lot, but I kind of..."forget" and it sneaks up on me in the winter. Last night was awful, I cried most of the night...and had a final exam this morning! 😢 I also think much of my little island is in denial about how much snow we've been getting the past few years 🙄 There aren't too many big, rainproof winter coats to buy for cheap enough considering the winters recently! Also, yes, I totally forget the news. My news comes from my husband! He's into that kind of stuff, so I just wait for something interesting from him. I seem to be doing alright with that! But, yes, you're all entirely right...I gotta get up, kick myself in the rear, and get back on that pole! 🥂 I also have to get over my fright of my roommates watching me. 🙄 One of them just...stares, you know? Bah, I should just tell him to turn around and drown in his computer some more ➡️ So, in light of this one...I'm going to try to create myself a schedule. I'm gonna get up in the morning, go to bed at a decent hour, actually eat food when I should (I skip a lot of meals...mostly breakfast) and really, honestly try. Wish me luck, girls! 🌸 And thank you! 🤓 🐱
FreeTheSun · 12/15/2009
He stares? That's kinda weird. I just told my old roommates/bf to not be around (hang out in their room, go hang out with friends, or just don't watch me) when I practice cause it is distracting and then I can't focus on working on my new moves. Good luck with fighting the grey.
stilett05 · 12/21/2009
hi Runemist- my dr (naturopath) gave me liquid vitamin D in a bottle. it makes a huge difference compared to the D tablets. i think its called Bio-D Forte or something like that. hope yr feeling better!
PoleSkivvies · 12/21/2009
I just got my boyfriend, who works the night shift, the Sadelite desk lamp from here: http://www.northernlighttechnologies.com/splash.php He's still getting used to it, but it seems to be having a good effect. I'm not terribly affected by the darkness, myself, but I do like looking at it. I'm from Minnesota originally, but now live in Vermont, where it's a lot more gray in the winter, which can get real tiresome. For me, though, mainly it's the cold. I get so cold in the winter I just want to hibernate and I have to force myself to still walk the dog (although some days, obviously, we have to take a pass on that) and to pole. My trick is to bundle up - yoga pants, long-sleeved shirt, socks, robe (honest to god - SOOO not sexy!) - and then strip down to shorts and a top as I warm up. Which sometimes never happens - I swear there are months when breaking a sweat is impossible - I'm just glad to be warm head to toe. God, I miss living in the south - the humidity was so nice for dancing and stretching. Although the sweat would have been a bitch had I been poling then. Sigh.
byrdgrrl · 12/21/2009
I do something similar. I layer up and strip off as I warm up. I've also discovered the joy of space heaters. I have a pretty small room though, so it works. My main issue is the cold. I HATE being cold, and it's really hard to get motivated when I'm freezing. That's why the space heater is sooo nice. I live in the desert too, so I'm never sad that it's raining. 😂 When it rains, we celebrate! 😎
Buterflii · 12/22/2009
VITAMIN D look up recommendations on amounts, a study came out last year that recommends much higher amounts than before, and it is linked to a lot of health issues. my hospital was passing out pamphlets. i take supplements nearly every day. be sure to get the 'dry' kind, because the gels are usually with added Vitamin A, but in cod liver oil, you easily overdose on Vit A levels, which is dangerous. i can't remember if its 1,000 or 2,000 mgs/day, look it up. also if you tan just once a month, or once every 2 weeks, it won't do much harm if you just go for 10-15 min, and you feel like you just soaked up sun on a beach for 2 hours! its great! i cover up my face, to avoid wrinkles, and my lower arms, because they're darker on me already. lis
deetron · 12/22/2009
I get SAD too.. I've tried the light boxes, the herbal remedies, meditation, prescription pills... hypnosis even!!! The only thing that works for me is going to the gym religiously! I like to do alot of running when I get there, because the endorphins it generates make me feel better. I must go at least 3 times a week, and when I'm really SAD, I go almost every day!! I even go to the gym for a couple hours before I do poling sessions, which I'm sure is not always a good thing!!! My family and boyfriend think I'm nuts, and people make fun of me because of my devotion, but whatever works, works!! 😂 Hope you find your fix! I say do whatever it takes to make you feel better!! Even if it seems bizarre!!