Any suggestions on how to get over S.A.D. other than anti-depressants?

Question

Hate when the weather changes from summer to fall and fall to winter..............what to do without medication?

Answer 1

oh do i sympathize with you on this!!

sometimes it's a daily battle to force myself outta bed in the still-dark, cold mornings...

(summer into fall, can sometimes be relaxing...to me, anyway; but personal preferences aside...)

fall into winter is DEFINITELY a *****! and into march, sometimes all the way to april, too!

hope these tips help:
- as strong a temptation depressing music can be, listen to music that comforts & uplifts you. granted, sometimes we need that cartharsis, a good cry to a song that just punches us in the chest sometimes helps relieve a LOT of pent up emotions!

- dress comfortably. clothes that are season-appropriate and make you feel good, can help.

- eat HEALTHY comfort foods! (i find a nice big bowl of my favorite oatmeal, or soup on a dreary day, warms my body, smells good, but gives me a few minutes of relaxation and distraction by focusing on how much i love it! and it's good for you!)

- WATCH CARTOONS! they're fun, and more of them are leaning into adult commentary/subject matter anyway! find a cartoon show you REALLY like, that makes you laugh....and make a schedule to watch it everyday (or each time it's on), at a consistent time! not only will it give you a little sense of organization (which makes you feel good that you can control SOMETHING!), but it gives you something to look forward to each day!! (spongebob all the way for me haha!)

- take nice hot showers. the feelings cleanliness and warmth, and the aromatherapy from your favorite shampoo/soap, etc can relax you so much...

- snuggle with a pet. (my cat KNOWS when i'm depressed... he'll gimme a little headbutt, lick me, and sleep at the foot of my bed all night long...) they can feel when you're sad, and they'll comfort you in their own loving way...

- snuggle up with a sig. other, under a nice big blanket, watching a favorite movie together. need i say more?? ;)

- get a massage.

- be romantic to your sig. other... it IS proven that those with good sex lives have improved senses of happiness, love, kindness, etc... that, and if you don't know...IT'S EXERCISE! (*sings the funky song* ..."burn some calories, make a little love, get down tonight...!" ok. XD hahaha)

- try and stay away from/limit a lot of (any) alcoholic drinks.

- try and limit caffeine = easy on the coffee! (get it decaf instead, so you're still having a comfort food, but it's helping your jittery levels!) ;)

- hot apple cider! yummy, warming, and nutritious! ;)

- go to Bath & Body works = get the "Relax" Eucalyptus/Spearmint Smoothing Gel, Pulse Point Cream, and Hand Lotion Moisturizer. Get the "Sleep" Lavender/Vanilla Pillow Spray mist stuff too... GREAT smelling, relaxing, aromatherapuetic items! -- also get a bottle of Patchouli Oil, and combine some with the "Relax" Pulse Point Cream...mmmm that smells really good, and it makes me feel grounded and relaxed...

......
i'm sure there are lots more, but lots of these definitely help me!

chin up, as much as you can!

Answer 2

You can buy, or make, a light box. People use them to get more (sun)light which makes chemicals in the brain to help combat depression. From what I read, you have to get up at 4:00 a.m. and sit in front of it for an hour or two. Best wishes.

P.S. St. John's Wart is an herbal remedy that might help.

Answer 3

Yeah I hate this too. The light therapy is very effective and a psychiatrist can hook you up with a light box to help with this. Don't take St. John's Wort or any other herbal remedies. They aren't proven to work, are known to cause problems, and their potency isn't regulated.

Answer 4

full-spectrum lights for like 15-30 minutes first thing are said to be helpful to people

best of luck

also --get enough sleep, eat well, no sugar, exercise regularly and take a good multi-vitamin, a B complex and lots of vitamin C. . . I get my vitamins at GNC 'cause it's high quality. In the U.S. there is no regulation on quality of ingredients of vitamins. . .

Answer 5

It's the lighting in the tanning beds that works. The golden glow is a bonus. Look up light therapy.

Answer 6

There are special lights that you can buy to help. Ask your family physician or get on the Internet and look. They are available without a prescription.

Answer 7

Research light therapy.

Answer 8

Try tanning.

Answer 9

http://www.sadbox.co.uk/