What are some ways to deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, besides Light Therapy?

Answer 1

I have SAD and I dread the winter months so bad. I can hit rock bottom in January and be perfectly perfect in July.
Last winter I started taking Effexor and it helped tremendously, but I'm still not 100% in the winter. I've found that exercising, especially walking outside(bundled up, of course!), helps some. Keep curtains or blinds open. I also discovered this past winter that it's best to stay in bright rooms. My bedroom used to have gray and dark purple walls. My therapist told me to paint the walls a brighter color. I painted them a bright white and it's amazing how much of a difference it has made.
Also, like others said, try to get around friends and/or family regularly. Watch comedies or sitcoms. Laughing helps!

For me, finding the energy and motivation to do these things is the hardest. When suffering from the effects of SAD in the past, I've been known to spend 90% of my time in bed. No energy, no motivation, no desire to do anything. It keeps getting better for me each year though as I discover more ways to deal with it.

Answer 2

You don't say which season affects you but I would have to say its the winter if you need light therapy. I don't know where you are from but I have seen a lot of people use florescent light in there house in the winter to keep it well lit. I have also seen this work on babies in the hospital that are jaundiced, mine was one of them. It works just like the Sunshine. Maybe you could try that because I have noticed that most of the people who use the florescent lights are from the middle east but we use it on babies in America. I have the opposite. I love it when the time changes and it gets dark earlier and in the summertime I keep my house dark also. Maybe I am a vampire eh. Good Luck

Answer 3

Sorry...think Light Therapy is goofy and expensive. Probably works...but...(who has time for that?)
I have a biochem tendency for depression, and yes, the winter months are VERY HARD.
What helps? Time with friends, extra laughter (movies-even the predictable ones I've seen 100 times), box sets of sit-coms I like, extra time in well lit places, like going to the grocery store daily for that nights dinner. Hope any of these ideas help or inspire your own. Dont you think sitting in front of a goofy light box is a waste of time? I guess you could do Sudoku or crossword puzzles in front of them but...
Anyway, good luck to you. Sorry if you have SAD.

Answer 4

I live in Alaska and we have long hours of darkness during the winter. Many people here are using the lights and find them very helpful. Fresh air and exercise is good but hard to do when it is cold out.

Answer 5

i'm quite satisfied this woman captured the domicile Invader. for sure, I even do not understand about her knowledge or self assurance with a gun, yet i imagine a more beneficial positive frame of mind would were to stay interior until eventually he finally broke the door in and then shoot him lifeless. This guy will be back on the line right away and he will probable rape and homicide some different person. i do not see how a gun can help you adversarial to the DOJ, in view that they could get warrants and harass you with the help of the courts, yet I truly understand the favor to close them down.

Answer 6

Consult your doctor. In some studies L Tryptophan has been proven to be useful in SAD but you may need other antidepressant therapy

Answer 7

I have this too, and I find that surrounding myself with bright colors, wearing bright, soft clothes, watching funny movies or comedians, etc. really helps. I try to keep my mind distracted when it gets bad. I'm lucky, though, because most of my friends are hilarious and can help me get my mind off of it.

Answer 8

Move to someplace on the equator, like Sri Lanka or Ecuador.

Answer 9

Anti-depressant medication helps and can be discontinued as conditions change.

Answer 10

I love your clothing it looks cute.