Guest guest Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 McKella, I think a lightbox is a good idea. My therapist highly recommends one and uses one herself. I've always loved winter and the darker days, but I can understand why it would get you down. I think you're right to switch gears a bit and do the activities that appeal to you now. If you feel you are being too sedentary, maybe try adding one more active routine, but definitely keep it manageable. If you are already down, putting pressure on yourself to be active can backfire. On the other hand, being active can help your mood, so maybe add a short walk in the mornings before you start writing or working. But take it slow. As far as anti-depressants go, maybe adding one at a very low dose can help you get through the winter months. I take a non-therapeutic dose of an anti-depressant and it really works for me and is very subtle and doesn't cause side effects because of the small amount. Something to consider anyway. Mimi Subject: Winter BluesTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 10:13 AM It's that time of year again. I've struggled with "winter blues" since I was a child, and I feel it coming on more intensely than usual. I think that's because I'm more aware of my body and emotions, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the low energy and enthusiasm, cravings, sadness, etc.I've done very well with IE this year and I actually reached my natural weight. I thought I'd gotten a good handle on things, but now all I feel like doing is eating and sleeping. I'm an artist and a writer, I usually love taking walks and doing yoga, but I'm finding that I'm not as interested in the things I love lately. I'm more drawn to reading and watching every episode of Fraggle Rock again, and I fully intend to let myself indulge in these comforts, but I don't want to be a vegetable for the next six months. My stomach feels bloated and heavy from eating more than I need to and I've been sleeping more. I'm reading about nutrients that should help, and I'm thinking of getting a light box. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and I really don't want to go down that road again. Does anyone else struggle with winter blues? Do you have any advice?McKella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 I definitly get the winter blues. All those dark, cold, dreary days really bring me down. Funny you mention this because just the other day I was in this store called tone and I was looking at those lights. They were kind of pricey there but I am going to look elsewhere for another one. Something I find that does help is going outside for a walk. I have a treadmill in my basement but actually getting outside and breathing the air seems to help me a lot. Once the roads are like ice skating rinks though it's hard to do but even if I go out and play w/ the kids for awhile just getting fresh air helps. I went on antidepressants for it once but felt it wasn't worth the side effects for me. Barb > > It's that time of year again. I've struggled with " winter blues " since I was a child, and I feel it coming on more intensely than usual. I think that's because I'm more aware of my body and emotions, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the low energy and enthusiasm, cravings, sadness, etc. > I've done very well with IE this year and I actually reached my natural weight. I thought I'd gotten a good handle on things, but now all I feel like doing is eating and sleeping. I'm an artist and a writer, I usually love taking walks and doing yoga, but I'm finding that I'm not as interested in the things I love lately. I'm more drawn to reading and watching every episode of Fraggle Rock again, and I fully intend to let myself indulge in these comforts, but I don't want to be a vegetable for the next six months. My stomach feels bloated and heavy from eating more than I need to and I've been sleeping more. > I'm reading about nutrients that should help, and I'm thinking of getting a light box. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and I really don't want to go down that road again. > Does anyone else struggle with winter blues? Do you have any advice? > McKella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks for all the help! I've been taking a high-quality vitamin D and fish oil supplement and I've recently increased my dose. I also go outside for a walk/run as soon as the sun is up (which is getting later and later. Sad.) I love the idea of finding winter things to look forward to, like ice skating. I'm an artist, maybe I could do snow sculptures when it starts snowing McKella > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Subject: Re: Winter Blues > >>> To: IntuitiveEating_Support > >>> Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 2:00 PM > >>> > >>> > >>> I definitly get the winter blues. All those dark, cold, dreary days > >>> really bring me down. Funny you mention this because just the other day I > >>> was in this store called tone and I was looking at those lights. They > >>> were kind of pricey there but I am going to look elsewhere for another one. > >>> Something I find that does help is going outside for a walk. I have a > >>> treadmill in my basement but actually getting outside and breathing the air > >>> seems to help me a lot. Once the roads are like ice skating rinks though > >>> it's hard to do but even if I go out and play w/ the kids for awhile just > >>> getting fresh air helps. I went on antidepressants for it once but felt it > >>> wasn't worth the side effects for me. > >>> > >>> Barb > >>> > >>> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks for all the help! I've been taking a high-quality vitamin D and fish oil supplement and I've recently increased my dose. I also go outside for a walk/run as soon as the sun is up (which is getting later and later. Sad.) I love the idea of finding winter things to look forward to, like ice skating. I'm an artist, maybe I could do snow sculptures when it starts snowing McKella > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Subject: Re: Winter Blues > >>> To: IntuitiveEating_Support > >>> Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 2:00 PM > >>> > >>> > >>> I definitly get the winter blues. All those dark, cold, dreary days > >>> really bring me down. Funny you mention this because just the other day I > >>> was in this store called tone and I was looking at those lights. They > >>> were kind of pricey there but I am going to look elsewhere for another one. > >>> Something I find that does help is going outside for a walk. I have a > >>> treadmill in my basement but actually getting outside and breathing the air > >>> seems to help me a lot. Once the roads are like ice skating rinks though > >>> it's hard to do but even if I go out and play w/ the kids for awhile just > >>> getting fresh air helps. I went on antidepressants for it once but felt it > >>> wasn't worth the side effects for me. > >>> > >>> Barb > >>> > >>> > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Vitamin D like everyone else said and also if you trend toward the blues off and on, you may want to look for thyroid issues. > > It's that time of year again. I've struggled with " winter blues " since I was a child, and I feel it coming on more intensely than usual. I think that's because I'm more aware of my body and emotions, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the low energy and enthusiasm, cravings, sadness, etc. > I've done very well with IE this year and I actually reached my natural weight. I thought I'd gotten a good handle on things, but now all I feel like doing is eating and sleeping. I'm an artist and a writer, I usually love taking walks and doing yoga, but I'm finding that I'm not as interested in the things I love lately. I'm more drawn to reading and watching every episode of Fraggle Rock again, and I fully intend to let myself indulge in these comforts, but I don't want to be a vegetable for the next six months. My stomach feels bloated and heavy from eating more than I need to and I've been sleeping more. > I'm reading about nutrients that should help, and I'm thinking of getting a light box. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and I really don't want to go down that road again. > Does anyone else struggle with winter blues? Do you have any advice? > McKella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Vitamin D like everyone else said and also if you trend toward the blues off and on, you may want to look for thyroid issues. > > It's that time of year again. I've struggled with " winter blues " since I was a child, and I feel it coming on more intensely than usual. I think that's because I'm more aware of my body and emotions, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the low energy and enthusiasm, cravings, sadness, etc. > I've done very well with IE this year and I actually reached my natural weight. I thought I'd gotten a good handle on things, but now all I feel like doing is eating and sleeping. I'm an artist and a writer, I usually love taking walks and doing yoga, but I'm finding that I'm not as interested in the things I love lately. I'm more drawn to reading and watching every episode of Fraggle Rock again, and I fully intend to let myself indulge in these comforts, but I don't want to be a vegetable for the next six months. My stomach feels bloated and heavy from eating more than I need to and I've been sleeping more. > I'm reading about nutrients that should help, and I'm thinking of getting a light box. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and I really don't want to go down that road again. > Does anyone else struggle with winter blues? Do you have any advice? > McKella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Vitamin D like everyone else said and also if you trend toward the blues off and on, you may want to look for thyroid issues. > > It's that time of year again. I've struggled with " winter blues " since I was a child, and I feel it coming on more intensely than usual. I think that's because I'm more aware of my body and emotions, but I'm having a hard time dealing with the low energy and enthusiasm, cravings, sadness, etc. > I've done very well with IE this year and I actually reached my natural weight. I thought I'd gotten a good handle on things, but now all I feel like doing is eating and sleeping. I'm an artist and a writer, I usually love taking walks and doing yoga, but I'm finding that I'm not as interested in the things I love lately. I'm more drawn to reading and watching every episode of Fraggle Rock again, and I fully intend to let myself indulge in these comforts, but I don't want to be a vegetable for the next six months. My stomach feels bloated and heavy from eating more than I need to and I've been sleeping more. > I'm reading about nutrients that should help, and I'm thinking of getting a light box. I've tried anti-depressants in the past and I really don't want to go down that road again. > Does anyone else struggle with winter blues? Do you have any advice? > McKella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Someone who was hospitalized with a major depression last fall was immediately put on 4,000 IUs of vitamin D3 along with their prescription meds. And my toddler's pediatrician insists she take vitamin D supplements, because we live in the north. Not really IE talk, but it is related, given that it's self-care and falling into SAD can cause all our IE efforts to fall away. Jane > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: Winter Blues > > To: IntuitiveEating_Support > > Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 2:00 PM > > > > > > I definitly get the winter blues. All those dark, cold, dreary days really > > bring me down. Funny you mention this because just the other day I was in > > this store called tone and I was looking at those lights. They were > > kind of pricey there but I am going to look elsewhere for another one. > > Something I find that does help is going outside for a walk. I have a > > treadmill in my basement but actually getting outside and breathing the air > > seems to help me a lot. Once the roads are like ice skating rinks though > > it's hard to do but even if I go out and play w/ the kids for awhile just > > getting fresh air helps. I went on antidepressants for it once but felt it > > wasn't worth the side effects for me. > > > > Barb > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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