Winter Blues

Just think, soon it will be black fly season. Should be a doozy this year.

But seriously, SAD is a real issue, especially at the higher latitudes. I have an older brother who is affected. His drinking issue definitely gets worse in the winter. Jimmy was definitely onto something with his changes in latitudes, attitudes thing.

Getting out definitely helps. Cross-country skiing is one way to break up the monotony. Opens up a lot of terrain for exploring. Sure got plenty of snow this year. Snow shoeing is another option for areas not suitable for the skinny skis.

We used to call it "cabin fever". I agree, the best cure is to get outside and enjoy some activity.

A problem related to lack of sunlight is vitamin D -- the sunshine vitamin -- deficiency. Low vitamin D levels are linked to depression. This correlation might help explain the cause of SAD.

As Sir Robin points out, those of us who live in more northerly latitudes are more likely to suffer the effects of lack of sunlight, including lack of vitamin D. This is true even in months with longer days and temperatures high enough to be outside.

A week on the beach will put you right as rain....

Move to the tropics… no autumn blues, no winter blues. Hardware stores don't even sell snow shovels as a reminder of misery. Otherwise SE has the right idea, but only a week?

Just monsoon blues.

Light therapy does work, I'm convinced. I reckoned later on that it was daily exposure to a 500W floodlight that had me feeling so upbeat one dreary winter. You need tropical attire though.

Vitamin D3, 2000 mg. / day, as many green vegetables as you are able to find / eat, lots of fruit, lots of water (tea etc.) (We forget to drink water when it is cold). Try all spectrum bulbs in lighting fixtures, the type that greenhouse growers use. There are some more advanced spectrums out there that replicate natural sunlight. And, when all else fails, a good vacation. We have had 3 groups of guests visit and stay with us in Ca. this winter, all from Boston and NY area, and they have said that they were totally re-energized after being able to walk in the sun, on a beach, wearing shorts and slippers!! Getting out of and back into Logan was the biggest challenge with the weather.

It was 84°F and sunny here today.

I will envy you poor souls with cabin fever until it's 110°F here every day for two months.

100% agree, until the dry hills come tumbling down in an earthquake...

A friend of mine suffers in the same way but controls it by using an SAD light which closely mimics the wavelengths of natural sunlight.

I don't mind the winter months because I know it means that Harveys will be brewing Old Ale & Bonfire Boy.

What is a "SAD" light? Not familiar with the term. Thanks

It reproduces the wavelengths of light found in natural sun light instead of those found in various forms of electric light. This is one but there are many types. In the UK they tend to be LED lamps but only because tungsten glass bulbs were banned by an EU directive. If you can find glass SAD lamps they are much cheaper.

Thank you, Nigh--One of the main reasons I try to stay connected, is so that I can learn about things that I am not familiar with. I know what I know, through experience, am familiar with things that are close to what I understand, and am willing to learn from anyone about anything that interests me. You have all helped in those regards. Many thanks, again...

"Seasonal affective disorder" light.

Love it--Also, under stand the Finns, and other northern Latitude countries have some of the highest suicide rates, also some of the highest antidepressant use rates…Hope that is not true--

Vodka has nothing to do with that stat....

Hot off the Mashable press -> How To Boost Your Vitamin D Intake in Winter. Guess what? There's even an app for that -- dminder.