Seasonal Affective Disorder + Light Therapy Giveaway!
There is nothing more depressing than looking out the window to a gray and rainy freezing cold day. It of course means, that unless you absolutely have to go out, you’re staying inside at all costs. Seriously, no matter how many layers you put on, you’re gonna freeze.
Oh, and don’t even get me started on cold noses. Ugh. The worst. Not only do we hate weather changes in the winter time, because they can be so unpredictable and mess with our travel plans, we tend to hate any kind of weather in general, especially as a chronic pain patient, as typically some kind of weather will mess with us in some sort of way. That, and Seasonal Affective Disorder tends to rear its ugly head around this time of year.
But winter time is by far the worst of all the culprits. Springtime we have to deal with the rain, summertime we live with the humidity, autumn there’s the dryness in the air, but in winter we get the wet and heavy snow. It’s not like when we were carefree little kids and we could run outside and build a snowman (cue the Frozen soundtrack), now we’ve got to do all we can to try and make it through these dreary days! Scroll to the bottom if you want to try to win a light therapy lamp!
DISTRACT YOURSELF
Distracting yourself is a very important thing to do. We all need a good distraction every once in a while to take ourselves away from the mundane and the everyday. Perhaps you like to color mandalas? Adult coloring books (get your mind out of the gutter!) have made quite an impression on many people. I have three or four, and just purchased a nice watercolor pencil set. You could do a crossword puzzle, sudoku, play a video game, read a really enthralling book, write, draw, blog (wink, wink), just do something to keep your hands and your mind busy!
KEEP WARM
I mean, this is kind of something you have to do. But there’s nothing like a delicious hot cup of hot cocoa on a freezing cold day. It just has this special effect. It brings us back to those carefree moments in childhood when we would go and play outside and when we came back in, there was a hot cup of cocoa on the table waiting for us! Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up a box of hot cocoa, splurge on it, get any kind you like! I get the one with the pretty colored marshmallows! Then, when those nasty frigid days roll around, you’ve got something there that will pick you up! Plus, the kids will love it, too! Can we say sugar high, anyone?
PHONE A FRIEND
Is that your final answer? Yes, yes it is. By calling up a friend, you’re doing something good for yourself, and for your friend. Talk to them, tell them how you feel. That’s what friends are for, right? Perhaps you don’t have their phone number. That’s okay, too! Go online and chat with them via an instant messenger, it’s just as effective and will help just as much! It gives you a little extra accountability, too. Let them know that you might be feeling a bit low because of the weather, this way, someone else knows how you’re feeling and you’re not carrying that huge burden of sadness upon just your shoulder anymore, you’re sharing it with a friend who can help you work through it.
WATCH A COMEDY
Chances are that you’ve probably seen a comedy before. You know how they make you feel, right? You laugh your ass off, and you always feel better after laughing! Get those deep belly laughs in. They are so good for you! Pop in a funny movie or queue one up on Netflix and get it going! Pop up a bowl of popcorn while you’re at it! You’ll start to feel better in no time!
WIN A
Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp
Exercise. I love going for walks/runs.
This is amazing. I suffer with SAD and I always have a light or two on please a nice smelling candle to help me during the winter season.
Thanks so much for these great ideas. I often feel exhausted this time of year from the lack of sunlight and I will make sure to turn to these suggestions when I am feeling low.
I try to go for a walk or pick up one of my hobbies
My daughter gets SAD every winter like clockwork. I didn’t realize there was a lamp that could help with Seasonal Affective Disorder so this is very helpful. i might buy her one for a present. Thanks for doing a giveaway. I was wondering if it is a worldwide giveaway?
Lee Good recently posted…Trial results of new treatment for Fibromyalgia targeting non-restorative sleep
I feel like I have SAD so these tips are super helpful.
I love hot chocolate too, so warming and really makes me feel snuggly on autumn and winter evenings.
Great tips and giveaway!! People who don’t suffer from it think it’s such a joke. But my sister up in Canada will tell you it isn’t. She’s found great help with light therapy and also scheduling 1-2 tropical getaways each winter.
We don’t have winter here in my country. But when I feel down or bored I always find something to do like reading books or doing DIY activities with my niece. Btw I love your ideas, Great read!
Risa Lopez recently posted…Chhath Puja 2021: Unique Facts and Myths
The season changing and the prolonged darkness has definitely been impacting my kiddo. I’ll try some of these out with her.
great tips! distraction works before me in case of any issues I experience even though I don’t have affective disorder.
Lyosha Varezhkina recently posted…11-11
Didn’t realize and take notice of this so thanks a lot for brining this issue up, I think your ideas and post will help people who has the same disorder during season change. Thanks. – Knycx Journeying
I definitely had this when we were living in Alaska. Using light therapy does help. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
I like the idea of calling a friend. Life can get so busy, making time to call or message a friend is very important.
These are some really good tips. I stay sane by working out and going for long runs to clear my head.
I manage to keep myself busy at any season of the day, especially now that I am living in VIC Australia where we can experience 4 seasons in a week! Indoor life is still awesome, probably coz its a norm for many introverts like myself.
When I feel sad or lonely I want to someone to talk to so that I can feel I’m not alone it easily to get up if I have someone to talk too. But all your list are super great.
I do think I’m getting SAD in a way, so this sharing so so resonate with me & appreciate your sharing. Cheers Siennylovesdrawing
I think I suffer a little bit from SAD, but I don’t get depressed, more sleepy. Giving away a Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp is such a great giveaway for those who need it to the most!
I’m in Northern Europe right now – and we could definitely use some sunshine – on sooo many levels! It’s quite depressing, and I’m waiting for Spring to come 😉
This is something I was talking about with my friends. I feel like a decent amount of people have this happen to him and they don’t even realize what it is.
As much as we hate it, we spend so much time at home when it’s winter. Never heard of the therapy lamp but would love to check it out. Stay warm!
Light therapy is probably so useful! Good looking out and thanks for sharing.
I do distract myself when I feel the blues hit by telephoning or emailing or texting one of my sisters. It usually cheers me up to chat a bit.
When I’m sad, I will watch either an animated movie and/or a comedy. Love those endorphins. 💗
Petting my cat, Sable, also helps with the blues.