Do you suffer from Seasonal Defective Disorder (SAD) and if so do you have something to help you through it?

Question

Sorry, Ginger, I meant Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Answer 1

The lights make a BIG difference.
Get the full-spectrum bulbs.
Get yourself outside as much as possible during daylight.
Exercise and good food are important too.
Here are some good ideas:
1. Do something that gets your heart rate up a bit like, walking, running, biking, and swimming.
2. Eat Whole, Organic foods like: Broccoli, Cabbage, Organic Brown Rice, Beans, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Apples, and other fruits and vegetables in their Natural State.
3. Avoid eating corn, white bread, white rice, white potatoes, candy, sodas, chips, and anything else that you already know you shouldn’t be eating.
4. Drink clean water as your beverage of choice. Avoid Fruit drinks and fruit juices (unless YOU juice them yourself)
5. Stop smoking, drinking beer & wine, and drinking coffee.
6. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
7. Hang out with people who want to be healthy.
8. Avoid anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.
9. Look into taking a multi-vitamin.

Tone up the muscles:

1. Join a gym and get a trainer.
2. If you’re short on cash, start a light stretching & yoga regimen.
3. Do push-ups, and light dumbbell curls for the upper body.
4. As I said above, walk, run, swim, and or bike
5. Take an aerobics class, a yoga class, or some other fitness class.
6. Join the local YMCA.
7. Buy or borrow this book by Bill Pearl called GETTING STRONGER. http://www.billpearl.com
In the book, he describes everything you need for a great fitness plan.
8. Compare your fitness scores to other people by clicking on the President’s Challenge Brochure link here: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/misc/downloads.aspx
9. Crunches & Curl ups for the abs.


Mental Health:

1. Get a friend to talk to each day about your feelings.
2. If you have some money or insurance, get a counselor to talk to.
3. Learn how to meditate.
4. Join a support group for the issue you’re dealing with.
5. Ask your Higher Self (or God) for guidance.
6. Start keeping a diary or journal about your feelings & thoughts.
7. Write a ‘gratitude’ list every night.
8. Do something that makes you happy each day like: listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, write, or anything creative.
9. Do something for someone else who needs help.
10. If the above suggestions don't improve your mental health, talk with your therapist about the possibility of taking some medication.
11. Check out the book FEELING GOOD by David Burns.

Take care of yourself

Yam King

Answer 2

Yes, there are things you can do; take vitamin D and calcium, sit out in the sun (no lotion) even if your face is just showing, for at least 15 minutes and try to exercise at least 3 times a week. You can get a cheap natural sunlight bulb at the store or get one of those $200 light boxes.

Be careful what you eat; lay off the carbs like bread, limit your sugar intake too.

I solved my SAD once and for all and moved 800 miles south to a warmer, sunnier, happier place! : )

Answer 3

Yes. The broad spectrum lamps are helpful. They are expensive. I've used the full spectrum aquarium lights. Turning on a lot of light in the house is helpful to me. I feel better if I get outside for some exercise, even a walk, for 20 minutes every day.
Altho it's bad for your skin, some people feel better when they use tanning beds.

Answer 4

What's seasonal defective disorder it doesn't' make SAD? It's ok to hibernate in the cold months the earth does it,days are shorter,colder,plants die... You can do it to,nothing wrong with slowing down in the winter months we all have SAD to some point anyway so don't worry about it.

Answer 5

I am not diagnosed, but I am definitely grouchy in the winter. I live in LA, so at least we get sun, but it can be pretty chilly. I have found that doing things to make my home feel more cozy helps - christmas lights, candles, big fuzzy blanket on the couch.

Answer 6

I have it, though it's undiagnosed.. I've read that UV lamps can make a big difference, though I haven't tried them. I know some years my antidepressant dosage has been increased a little in the winter months. I hope you find something to help you.

Answer 7

Lightbox therapy.... It helps.
St Johns Wort.... Worth a go.

Answer 8

friends say tanning... but it causes skin cancer...

doctor says prozac.... but it´s expensive...

so i just eat a lot of chocolate ;P

Answer 9

buy a extra lampshade 4 ur bedroom