Seasonal affective disorder

Don't smoke, don't drink, don't have se........

I have a kitchen full of red, white, rose, vodka, martini, etc. etc.etc..... All mainly presents from clients but They only get drunk when guests come. I do cook with booze a lot though.

 

Yes, hate the cold, dark and damp as well. It's harder to motivate myself when we're in the depths of winter, I tend to mope around the house shivering. I try to think positively about the season, though, there's no point in wishing my life away.

There are other nice things to do in the winter that maybe I don't make time for in the summer. Going to the theatre/ cinema, or dancing, for example. When we do get fine winter days I think it's important to get outside and walk, as well.

 

As a former shift worker, and the wife of a current shift worker, I'm not convinced of Clue's arguments per se (sorry, clue ) For my dissertation, based on "work-life-balance" one of the arguments which came from the research was that of shift work (no surprise there, then!)

While Mr Mum has been a "rotating" shift worker for many a year, my previous Ex-Mr-Mum was a permanent night shift worker; so, during Autumn/Winter time, Mr ExM, would awake to darkness, work through darkness and go to bed at darkness, yet sleep through the day; yet not see "daylight".

Conversely, Mr Mum may be awake during daylight one day, be asleep during daylight another day and, have to juggle the day/night hours on other days.

Historic research is very convincing that a person's sleep/daylight/nightime ratio has a profound affect on their physical and mental health; most especially during the Autumn/Winter period; which is an intensification of the issue.

Office workers merely present on aspect of the equation; shift workers present quite another.

S.A.D. is a recognised condition for whosoever suffers from the condition; thankfully, there are aids which can aid some respite from the condition

 

I don't like the Dark

 

Cosy winter nights is one thing - no daylight for more or less 8 months in the year is another thing. The good point is that you get a night sight like a wolf...

It is true that in Scandinavian countries there are high suicidal rates, but my personal view is that it is more because they are bored rather than the weather.

On the other hands people that come from sunny countries can be extremely miserable without sun. In that case there are lamps to cheer you up.

I live quite well in this weather, also because it is pretty much what I am used to. I would be terrible unhappy in the constant heat and terribly bored in Iceland! (although some would like to convince me otherwise)

 

I get 'down' from September onwards I detest the darkness, the weather, the depressing days just dragging on.

I start feeling cheerful again around February time cos you can see things starting to grow. Spring is my favourite season because it's so full of new life and hope.

 

Interesting point about boredom, it sometimes seems to me that people who are mildly depressed have a bit of unacknowledged boredom in the mix somewhere. I certainly think it pays to keep busy doing rewarding things, so I don't notice the cold and dark so much.

Good point about the heat, also. I suppose early September is perfect weather - warm enough not to have the heating on, OK to walk about in t-shirt/jumper/jacket combos, but not sweaty or enervating. People who live in mediterranean climates have the midsummer heat to contend with while from what I can gather, the hot season in places like India is positively unbearable even for those who are used to it.

 

Very true!!!

Val

 

It is true and one of the major factors of us moving here 11 years ago as I suffered with SAD in the UK (even on the IoW!). Here there is plenty of light and sunshine, which in itself provides opportunities to keep one occupied. I have always been a person who enjoyed the arts and crafts, and here I took up further hobbies of gardening of a different kind (tropical in a sub-tropical environment), photography, painting and writing.

I could never settle back in the UK again ... nor could I ever envisage using a lamp to give me light, perish the thought!

PS As a bonus, it is less expensive to live here than the UK!

 

I can't say I get S.A.D sometimes when I can't get out at the weekend i get grouchy. The one thing I do like during the dark months is turning everything off except a lamp and reading a good book whilst listening to the wind and rain outside.

Rusty