Do you know how to cope with SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)?

Question

I have SAD, which quite a few other people suffer from. Besides having deep depression with bad episodes, during the Winter with the grey sky and the cold weather I hibernate. I have to leave all my lights on in the day, that helps.
But no matter how I plan, when it hits its awful.

Answer 1

Get rich and follow the sun..........

Answer 2

I've got it too. It does really stink. I am sad, gain weight, and also hibernate. There are special lights you can get to get the daylight we miss. I also used to tan a few times a week for the brightness and warmth. (don't overdo it though, skin cancer and all) I relish the winter days when I can go out to the car (when I have to run an errand) and it's sunny out and the car is warm because of the sunshine.

Answer 3

SAD occurs because the daytime sky is cold and gray, and it gets dark early. A person feels hemmed in by the dark and cold.
I recommend you join a tanning salon and build up a nice tan, to the point where you can take 20 minutes per day on the tanning bed. With a nice tan and all that light everyday, you will have something to look forward to.

Answer 4

Vitamin D! Lack of sunshine... I go tanning once or twice a week. Even though rays are bad for the skin and cause pre-mature wrinkles, I know the benefit of looking good and feeling good is better! Grab your ipod and put a good playlist on there. Songs to work out to and cool down to than hit the gym 3-4 times a week. Its cheaper to go out and its dead at the gym until Jan hits. You can get a lot of stress of your mind and produce those happy hormones we get when we have sex and are around people! Raise those Oxytocin levels too and find someone to cuddle with and spend some indoor time with your girlfriends. Get some wine and martinis! Its cheaper than going out and you don't have to battle the bad weather!

Answer 5

Below are a few tips on coping with SAD:

1. Take at least three vitamin B tablets/capsules daily.

2. Read numerous books on depression, so you can know different ways to combat SAD.

3. Make sure your diet is very healthy; it must include: fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads & fish.

4. Don't let stress overtake you.

5. Limit your intake of: caffeine, processed foods, snacks, sugary desserts & pop.

6. Drink at least 100 ounces of water daily.

7. Don't overextend yourself. If you can't make a social event, for whatever reason(s) then don't go.

8. Make sure your daily regime includes at least 30 minutes of exercise.

9. Read inspirational books & literature.

10. Finally, it is imperative your life includes some form of humor! Laugh 'til it hurts!

Answer 6

You can get a special light which helps a lot. I try to take a walk every day and keep myself very busy (like playing games on the computer) I exercise every day which is helpful.
There are anti-depressants available if you want to go that route. Try to get up at the same time as you did before winter/fall.

Answer 7

go to the tanning bed for 20 min a day 3 times a weeks, run, jog walk, early in the morning around 6 am or early-when the sun still out and the cloud coverage hasnt settled. if you start your day earlier then you can be out before it gets all dark and depressing. try also taking a vitamin or two in the morning..it will help you feel more energized and refresh,

Answer 8

there are special lights - called something like
broad spectrum or full spectrum.

if you get about 2 hours a day of that, you will feel much better.

you should probably start it as early in the fall as possible.
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use this phrase

lights OR lamps SAD


in a google search and you will get several choices

Answer 9

Tell yourself that after December 21st, the days start getting longer.

Answer 10

Winter is often the most sunny time of year (during the day anyways) .Get off your butt and learn to ski, snowboard, or snowshoe.

Answer 11

I'm guessing you live in Seattle or Cleveland. My advice: move to Arizona.