Nights drawing in.....

[beale]

Now it's getting darker and the clocks will soon go back, what's a good way to combat SAD?

[becks]

Ugh hi beale, I am suffering already and I know there's some others on here too. Not much you can do really, try getting lots of vitamin C as well as a good night's sleep. GEt out in the fresh air, particularly if it's a sunny day. Do you have a light box? If not may be wirth investing in one, I don't have one but i do have the sunclock which mimics the sun rise in the morning and is a great way to wake up. As i said in a qeustion earlier about this I also have a sunbed every couple of weeks, I know that these are said to be very bad for you, but the boost I get from three minutes of light is brilliant, and i don't have them every day or anything. I have also booked a holiday for november - when i get really bad, so instead of having a summer holiday i go then to help boost my sunlevels. Until the doctor can prescribe me moving to california these are just the small tips to help cope in the winter months. Try www.outsidein.co.uk for more on light boxes, or www.sada.org.uk for more on SAD.

[dorisday]

I agree with becks, rather than having a summer holiday, try to get away in November and if possible January too.

[number8]

Personally, I'm looking forward to the nights drawing in - I love winter, it is my favourite season, with Summer absolutely being my worst. As far as I'm concerned, hot weather is fine when you are on holiday, and that's it - and it drives me mad when the forecasters tell us its going to be a hot day as though it is good news. I cannot think of a nicer day than a sunny day that is very cold and crisp underfoot from frost, and then going home, building up the fire and being all cosied up by 5pm. Perfect.

[beale]

That's a nice refreshing answer Scubaboy. I love traditionally "bad" weather too, it's just the extended hours of darkness that gets me down. If everyone follows the advice here we might be in for a rip-roaring winter!

[Robinia]

Yes beale - winter draws on! I posted a Q on lightboxes recently as I'm considering buying one & becks answered me too, as she said you are not alone. I think that knowing the reason for feeling low actually helps me, although there may be additional pressures going on (such is life!) Like you I love to see a crisp winter day but when there are endless days of darkness you start to climb the walls don't you? Well I would if I had the energy, you know what I mean. As well as the sites becks recommended there's also this one which is very good http://www.sad.uk.com/home.php Keep your chin up & hope for a bright winter. You can always come on here & we'll all snarl at each other! :-)

[becks]

I too like being all cosied up in front of the fire, and i especially love really cold bright sunny mornings, don't get me wrong it's not winter i hate, my body just can't tolerate the dark morning and evenings. The reason we get SAD is because our brains aren't getting enough light - and the wrong kind of light, so enjoy the sunny days when they're here, it's being quite warm at the moment though which i'm also enjoying.

[beale]

That's the spirit everyone. Stay positive and all!

[georgit79]

And I also agree that the benefits of a sunbed used in cases like this outweigh the bad points i.e risk of cancer etc. A good sunbed session every once in a while really does me the world of good when I'm feeling down.

[Masin]

My Mum suffers so she changed all the light bulbs in the house to daylight simulation bulbs, she said that helped. Hope it helps Masin

[david small]

You can purchase special sunlight imitation lights (bedside lamp etc) They are very expensive but are said to alleviate SAD for a while. Me .I�m off to India in November.

[HM]

Although I don't mind the winter as I get soooooooooo excited about Christmas, the dark evenings do depress me slightly. So either I get in from work and get cosy with the fire on, eating things like stew & dumplings and other winter-type dinners, or I arrange to go out and see friends more often in the week. This has helped a lot as it gets away from the 'living for the weekend' type of mentality.