Winter blues

[morgenhund]

the timing of this post is somewhat coincidental with today, Monday 16 January, 2012, being "blue Monday" - apparently the most depressing day of the year. Do you have problems dealing with winter blues or some kind of SAD? How do you keep it in check?

[loulou]

I thrive in winter - it's that change from winter to spring which knocks me flat.

The only things I can do about it are: take it easy, make sure I get plenty of daylight and, if possible, take a holiday somewhere warm (which can offset it). Mid to late March is usually the crucial time for me.

[morgenhund]

I use a light lamp for regular sessions until mid-April and try to get a winter holiday in the sun (last year's SA trip helped for that!). I also have no problems in proper wintry conditions (e.g. Stockholm in late December, up the top of mountains etc.)

Quite a lot is made of Blue Monday (although wikipedia seems to doubt its veracity - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Monday_(date) ). Of course part of that boils down to the UK and people overspending for Christmas and getting their credit card bill and the reality dawning!

And of course nothing a bit of good old romance doesn't help to sort...

[Kerstin]

I used to suffer during the dark months, and it is the change from summer to winter that is the worst, when it gets dark sooner in the day. But I took some medication recently which seems to help and being active / creative also helps. The thing I don't like is cloudy, overcast days when the sun is not visible all day.
Last winter I was contemplating buying a special light but the price put me off.

[loulou]

Last winter I was contemplating buying a special light but the price put me off.

Same here!

[Dancing Queen]

A couple months back, a friend recommended vitamin D3 drops to help with the lack of sunlight. She recommended 2000 IU per day - I am doing 1600 IU per day as I also take other supplements (too much vitamin D is not good).

[morgenhund]

I bought the lamp in 2009 and the EUR 280 was money well spent - it pays for itself if it keeps you running through the winter. Fortunately my workplace has also installed daylight lighting in our office too.