Seasonal Affective Disorder

 SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. is a real and potentially debilitating illness that many people fight year after year.  This ailment is easily combated if you recognize the signs early enough and know what to do about them.

Below are some ways to help get you through the WINTER FUNK.  This is also straight from my lessons.  I hope you all get out of it what I put into it.

S.A.D. = Seasonal Affective Disorder

S.A.D. is a real and true affliction.  If not dealt with properly, it can lead to serious health issues.  If you are in a deep funk you cannot pull yourself from, please seek help from your family doctor or another trained professional.

In the winter, when the days get shorter (light wise) and it gets dark very early, many people experience symptoms of depression ranging from light to severe.  While you can’t change the natural pattern of night and day, there are several effective ways of dealing with it, and some won’t cost you any money!

 GET HAPPY: Light boxes 

Light boxes are a traditionally recommended way to brighten your mood during the darker times of the year. Many specialists say that by subjecting yourself to intense light for a few minutes each day, you’ll feel better and more refreshed.

GET HAPPY: Holiday Lights, Fun, Decorative lights 

In the winter I love to decorate the INSIDE of my house with holiday light strings. Icicle lights are my favorite, because they look great in front of mirrors, in door frames, or around windows.

Decorative party lights are also awesome ways to create a fun mood.  Footballs, Peppers, Palm Trees, to name a few; are some cool decorative party lights to help make life feel more festive and lively.

GET HAPPY: Write about it 

Journaling your thoughts can be a very powerful way to feel better about your situation. With a pretty journal it’s even more fun.

Start a BLOG.  What a better way to vent but to BLOG.  Some sites are set up so you can just have an online diary and only you can view it and others can be set (such as on MY SPACE) where you can let others see what you BLOG and perhaps give you advice on how they’d handle what life brings your way.  Cheap therapy, I say!

GET HAPPY: Alter your work hours 

If you are lucky enough to have a flexible job, try switching your work hours so you are home during the day and work in the evening when it’s dark. This will allow you to enjoy the daylight hours during the winter and still accomplish everything that needs to get done.

 GET HAPPY: Candles 

Candles are a romantic way to add a little light while still enjoying the darkness. You can create great centerpieces or mantle displays with various sized candles in the same color. Your candles need not be expensive or ornate – inexpensive white or vanilla candles create a stunning effect.

GET HAPPY: Flowers! 

Flowers are a great way to spruce up your home and add great fragrance to your house. Who can be sad when there are flowers? Find cheap bouquets at the grocers, or have a delightful vase delivered.

GET HAPPY: Exercise 

Exercise is good for you because it fills you with endorphins and gives you a natural high. Here are my favorite exercise DVDs.

 GET HAPPY: Fun and fresh artwork 

Buy yourself a new piece of art.  You can find all kind of finds either online very inexpensive – even posters can brighten up a room or area. Or maybe take up the hobby of painting.  PAINT YOUR WAY OUT CLASSES are still available at HAVEN HYPNOSIS.

 GET HAPPY: Gorgeous gift boxes 

Pretty and fun-colored boxes of all shapes and sizes are out there and very inexpensive. What a fun and cheery gift for yourself or someone else. Use it to stash your pick-me-up chocolate treats.  Most craft stores carry them too.  You could also get the brown paper mache’ boxes in different sizes and decoupage your own pretty gift box.  Perhaps if you chose not to store chocolates or other treasures in it, you could decorate your own little box and write out affirmations on little pieces of paper, place them in your box for when you need a little pick me up.

GET HAPPY: Make it movie night 

Movies can be found at your local library or you can borrow and exchange with friends.  Cuddle up with a sweetie and spend the evening in watching movies.  No Honey in your life right now? What about friends, co-workers, church folks, etc. Invite them over, make some popcorn and tell them all to bring a snack or something to drink along with their favorite movie.  What a great way to spend a Wintry Day or Night. If renting movies are not in your budget or the library does not have a good selection, then see what’s on the T.V.  Stay in bed and surf the TUBE.

Here are a few good ones to keep you laughing.  These are my favs.  I’m sure you have ones that are your old stand bys as well.

1- Wedding Crashers

2- Sideways

3- Napoleon Dynamite

4- The Longest Yard

5- Monster-in-Law

6- Failure to Launch

7- Fun with Dick and Jane

8- In Her Shoes

9- Ferris Buehler’s Day Off

10- Meet the Fockers

11- Saving Silverman

12-Most anything with Adam Sandler (Billy Madison, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds)

 Are you sad? 

Many people get sad or depressed in the winter. Sometimes it has to do with the stress of the holidays, and sometimes it’s because of the short days and dark nights that make you feel like going to bed at 6pm ! (Not that that’s always a bad thing…)

 Do you suffer from S.A.D?

___No, I don’t mind the darkness.

___I wish it wasn’t so dark but it doesn’t bother me much.

___I get a little depressed during the winter.

___I find myself pretty depressed in the winter.

___As soon as the time changes I just want to hole up and sleep all winter!

If you found yourself fitting in to the category of the last two, then you may be fighting something other than the WINTER BLAHS.  If your symptoms seem to last for more than a month and nothing, not these types or anything else you’ve tried seems to raise you from your funk, you may want to seek solace from your family physician or someone qualified to diagnose what your symptoms add up to.

God bless you all!  Keep smiling and know that winter is just as gorgeous as any of the warmer months.  Find your miracle in today and take solace in that.  The world is a wonder!  Embrace and enjoy!

Peace, love, light and grace be upon you…

Until next time-

Norkee