SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder

You may have heard of SAD before... or maybe you haven't. Maybe you have SAD. If you aren't sure about it, it is a actually a type of depression that is related to the changes in the seasons and the weather. SAD will usually start around the same time every year as the sunlight fades and autumn is approaching. It will continue throughout the winter. It saps all your energy and leave you feeling rather crumby. There might be days during the winter when the sun is shining brightly that a person with SAD might feel a small boost of mood and energy but the motivation is short-lived. People with SAD pray for the longer days and count down the days until the equinox.

I purchased myself a "happy lamp" to try and increase my daylight time with artificial sunlight. I try to remember to take my vitamin supplements but honestly, I hardly every remember... I look outside and cringe. I don't even find it cold out there in the Newfoundland winter, it is not temperature related. It is directly related to the lack of sunlight and the shorter days. We can't force the sun to stay longer... sadly... But we have to try and get as much sun as we can.

Having chronic pain disorder means that I am always tired. I send the kids to school and go back to bed for more sleep. I need more sleep! The problem with wanting to sleep more is I am missing out on some sunshine. I wish I was a morning person... I just like my bed WAYYYYY too much. But coupled with Seasonal Affective Disorder adds to the desire to stay in bed and let life just pass by. There is a lack of motivation and initiative that comes with SAD and I have a really hard time getting motivated.

The tips I get from therapy is to just start small. Don't make long term goals during winter. Take things one day at a time. Set a goal to do something good for yourself TODAY. Set your alarm and TRY to get up at a certain time. Don't forget self care. Wash your face. comb your hair. Has it been three days since your showered? Turn on the heat, get that shower! Stop delaying the self care and create your first opportunity for success today. (you would be surprised at how hard it is to take care of your self when you are suffering depression of any kind). Take those small successes like self care and build on that, once you are clean and refreshed you might get the urge to clean something else or do a load of laundry. You might even find the mood to go out for coffee. So start your day, you can take that first step into the bright glaring light of the bathroom and pretend it's the sun. (HAH just kidding we know that isn't the sun)

If you are not familiar with any type of depression, you can really be the support for a person just by trying to understand and lending and ear... and a cup of coffee.... always with the coffee!