Winter depression

Make yourself get busy and moving?  Not easy sometimes, but it's so helpful.

They make SAD lights...BIL has one.....that provide the sunshine when you can't find any outside.

 Cod Liver Oil - it's rich in Vit. D.  Carlson's Cod Liver oil makes a lemon flavor that's easy to get down. 

 I go tanning.

I'm going to try tanning this year.

ladies - I have skin damage as a result of indoor tanning beds, and it's not like I am some kind of chronic tanner.  think carefully about tanning and at least protect your face.  Mild depression now or skin cancer later?

my sister got one of those indoor lights for her son and put it by the computer, since he spent so much time playing video games.  Good luck to you guys.

Isn't tanning artifical light though? Does it really help?

miranadobe

ladies - I have skin damage as a result of indoor tanning beds, and it's not like I am some kind of chronic tanner.  think carefully about tanning and at least protect your face.  Mild depression now or skin cancer later?

my sister got one of those indoor lights for her son and put it by the computer, since he spent so much time playing video games.  Good luck to you guys.

Depends on how "mild" the depression is.  For me it's more for the light and the warmth than getting tan.  Sunscreen, once a week, 10 minutes.  I looked into the lights and they are really expensive (for me at least).  The cheaper they are, the closer you have to sit to them.

3girls

Isn't tanning artifical light though? Does it really help?

I dunno, UV rays are UV rays, but you could stay clothed and wear sunscreen.  It helps me, but I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark.  I work in a basement with no windows.  I'm a beach bum in the summer and tanning really does feel like the closest thing to getting some sunlight, even if it's just once a week.

Tanning makes a HUGE difference to my level of happiness in the winter.  I know that 15 minutes of sunlight a day isn't that much -- but up here in WI I swear we can go weeks without seeing it in the winter.  Besides that, if the sun does peek out during the day, it doesn't do me any good because I'm stuck at work!  I go to work in the dark and come home at dusk.  It's miserably depressing.

I went last night and rejoined my gym -- and added unlimited tanning to my package.  I'm hoping that getting back into the exercise routine with the addition of the tanning bed will keep my spirits up.

In the past I've gotten so bad in the winter that I needed to go on anti-depression meds.  They definitely did help me a LOT, but coming off them was horrible and not something I wish to go through again if I can help it.  There were other factors going on in my life at that time that didn't help, though -- so I'm hoping this year I can get through it on my own.

Truthfully, I'd be so much better off moving to a southern state....

I do the tanning thing also.  I know its probably all psychological but I swear when I have a tan, I just feel healthier and believe that I get way fewer colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, etc. (all those winter illnesses).  It may be mind over matter, but in my case it works!!!

Deb W.

Although I'm in Calif. and everyone thinks of sun all year, it can get pretty dark and depressing here in the winter too. We get the damp fog that settles in and the sun won't shine for days or weeks. I find that the best mood lifter for me is exercise. I always feel better after a good workout.

 I go tanning and I also go to the gym daily. It really helps me get up and moving about in the winter, especially days I want to stay in my pajamas all day!! <~~ like today...

cakana

Although I'm in Calif. and everyone thinks of sun all year, it can get pretty dark and depressing here in the winter too. We get the damp fog that settles in and the sun won't shine for days or weeks. I find that the best mood lifter for me is exercise. I always feel better after a good workout.

Exercise 

 Those SAD lights make a big difference. Your doc can write a prescription for one so your insurance will cover it.

I just changed all of my indoor lights to those daylight lights (can't remember what they are called). I got the equivelent of 100W lightbulbs, but they only take 23 watts of energy. My house lights up like a beach on a sunny day. It is AWESOME! I'm not kidding, it makes SUCH a difference.