SADD that time of the year

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I feel kind of silly even writing this, but I need help. It's that time of the year that I love which is autumn but right after that is when the sun goes on vacation. I am going to probably be moving to the east coast and right now, I need to find a way to deal with winter. I just couldn't cope last year. I thought that SADD was a joke but it isn't!

I have read and read about lights that you can use but I just don't want to buy something that isn't going to work. I don't get downright depressed, it's like, I need sun. Short of going to a tanning bed every day, what can I do? I would love to hear from someone else that has used the lights or found some other way to deal with it.

One way of dealing with it is I'm going to suck it up and bike all winter. No matter what. Last year I curled up and didn't ride outside for months. That just isn't going to happen this year!

Enjoy the days while they are still long enough!

[indysteel]

I've never tried the lights, but I do try to get outside in the winter as much as I can. Unfortunately, I don't live in a winter wonderland type of a place. Indianapolis gets wet and cold in the winter, but we don't get enough snow frequently enough to allow for skiing or snowshoeing, and I'm not a big fan of riding in temps lower than 35 degrees. So last year I took up running again after a long hiatus from it. I think it helped. I at least made it to February without totally losing it. I also exercised in general as much as I could and really stuck to my schedule in that regard. There was no "but wouldn't it be nice to just go home after work and snuggle with my cats."

Still, I think it would help me if I scheduled a long weekend or vacation in February/early March. That's usually about the time I start to really climb the walls. And I'd be willing to try to lights if my SADD continues to worsen as I get older.

[Kalidurga]

There was no "but wouldn't it be nice to just go home after work and snuggle with my cats."

But how do you find the willpower to fight that urge? That's been my problem. I also don't get depressed as in dejected or sad, but I do feel physically and mentally pressed down, like there's something making me lethargic and unmotivated. Sometimes, no amount of internal pep talks or yelling at myself to "just do it!" works. How do you convince yourself to get the heck up and get moving?

[Crankin]

The trick is to just get outside. You don't have to ride, just get outside and walk, hike, snow shoe.
My friend uses the lights and they are successful, but she doesn't exercise.

[Kalidurga]

The trick is to just get outside.

I've considered trying the lights just to get me energized and motivated enough to even make it that far. For me, it's not just the shorter winter days, it's also any day that's grey and overcast. I look out the window and don't have any urge to even open the front door.

Thanks for starting this thread, TahoeDirtGirl. I've thought of asking this question, too, so I appreciate you taking the plunge.

[michelem]

TahoeDirtGirl,

I HEAR YOU!!! I have the same problem. Last year my doc recommended light therapy. I bogged myself down with researching and never bought anything (they are EXPENSIVE). However, this year I am going to do it. This is what she prescribed: "High intensity (10,000 lux), broad spectrum lights 30 min. exposure to your pupils at dawn and dusk (as a minimum) or visor most of the time."

A tanning bed is not going to do it, besides the fact that it raises your risk of skin cancer. Also, 30 minutes outdoors isn't going to do it either here in Northern California . . . especially during rainy/foggy season. The sun just isn't intense enough during winter months if you have diagnosable SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Good luck to you! I'm hoping that my flexible spending account will reimburse me since it is prescribed by my doc, but I've heard it is VERY difficult to get the lights covered by insurance or FSA's.

[sundial]

One way of dealing with it is I'm going to suck it up and bike all winter. No matter what.

I think that's what saved me last year. I cycled through the winter except for 3 weeks in February. Tanning beds don't seem to do anything for me as well as being near windows. What helped me more than anything was getting outside--whether it was on the bike or walking the dogs. All I needed was about 30 minutes a day and I did much better. I have talked to my gyne about meds for SADD and I do have an Rx for the winter months, just in case I need it.

[blueskies]

I started taking vitamin D (D3) last winter & it made a big difference.

[hirakukibou]

I have a light meant to treat SADD. I think it helps. I used it in the morning when I have my coffee. It doesn't completely "cure" my depression which I struggle with even in the summer, but it does take the winter edge away.

[Flur]

I've had SAD since I was in college. Before I knew what it was I referred to it as "the slide down into the dark." I had a really hard time with college winter break, which was 6 weeks long in December and January.

I've found that what helps best is getting outside as much as possible. I've also found the exercise helps, and outdoor exercise is the best of all. Having a project that you can work on when indoors helps too.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Another thing I found that is helping as the days get shorter is I switched to using soy milk. I get PMS so bad it's ridiculous and I noticed that this is the first month I didn't get 'the week before' craziness I always feel. It's actually a fluke that I started drinking soy milk but I'm glad I did. When aunt flo arrived I thought...whoa...what happened to 'the week before'??? I think it was more my mood that kept me from riding than the weather. I'll just keep riding and riding and riding. I also bought a TriNewt light so I can ride in the dark. Maybe I should just shine that on me?!

[Red Rock]

Thankyou all for this thread. I do not know if I actually have this or not but since I have been back in school and working at the same time, my grads have been worse during the winter months. Summer semester, which is usually the most diffucult, has been "easy" so to speak.

When I was a kid growing up, I did not notice these things as much. I will take the advise given here and try to be outside for a half and hour at least a day, somehow.

Red Rock

[NbyNW]

Another thing I found that is helping as the days get shorter is I switched to using soy milk. I get PMS so bad it's ridiculous and I noticed that this is the first month I didn't get 'the week before' craziness I always feel. It's actually a fluke that I started drinking soy milk but I'm glad I did. When aunt flo arrived I thought...whoa...what happened to 'the week before'??? I think it was more my mood that kept me from riding than the weather. I'll just keep riding and riding and riding. I also bought a TriNewt light so I can ride in the dark. Maybe I should just shine that on me?!

I'm not too familiar with the science of it, but as I understand it soy has phyto-estrogens than some women respond well too. On the other hand, some people find soy proteins impossible to digest . . .

For PMS, especially in the winter months, I've had pretty good luck with Women's Phase I supplement by Vitanica:

http://www.vitanica.com/supplements_05.htm

My mom introduced me to tofu & soy milk at a pretty young age, so I really have no idea whether I am better off with or without it. All I know is some people have had very positive experiences with it and others have had negative experiences. I guess I'm just in the middle and it's something I like to eat from time to time.

The literature in the light that I bought says that there are specific frequencies of light that help us to wake up. I'm not sure if a TriNewt would have those frequencies.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

sundial- you would be so proud. I went out and rode in the rain for an hour. I swear I have never been in rain that intense. I rode for about an hour on trails with plenty o roots. I made it and the guy I rode with likes to ride in the winter. I can't believe how much better I felt, except I still had that sleepy feeling I get when it's cloudy...one day at a time...

[Mr. Bloom]

Outstanding!