Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD – and Winter Blues

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Hi everyone icon smile Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues   Hope you’ve had a lovely Monday?  I’ve been trying to write my ‘why’ of the ‘who, where, what, when, why and how of Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD’, but it’s a toughy!

So, while I’m doing battle with that meaty issue, I thought I’d pop a quick post on with a few ideas on cheering yourself up if you’re finding these February swings in weather hard.  I know how difficult they can be - just as you think it’s time to pack away your winter coats and turn the heating off, you find it’s back to the biting wind and grizzly skies!

763369 25876068 spring shoots 150x150 Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues

Well, first thing’s first – spring is most definitely on its way (really, I promise you, it is! icon wink Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues )  But if you’re using a SAD light, do keep using it daily.  Even if you’ve been feeling better with the lengthening days, a dull day can make you feel like going back into hibernation!  So hold your horses!

OK, so how about these things to put a spring in your step (cue big groan, I know!):

  • 1340915 49208706 snowdrops 150x150 Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter BluesGet out in your garden or the local park and see all the flowers, trees and shrubs starting to bud. Take your camera and lose yourself for an hour!
  • Lie a moment and listen to the birds twittering away in the morning.
  • Buy some cheap pre-potted bulbs and put them on a window sill where you’ll see them growing and blooming – daffodils and hyacinths are perfect! icon smile Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues Or treat yourself to some cut tulips or daffs…
  • Paint your nails a bright, summery colour.
  • Dig out that summer top and wear it  – put a cardi over the top if you’re cold!
  • herb kit1 300x225 Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter BluesIf you’ve a bit of energy, sew some seeds – anything you like.  I’ve just bought a herb propagator kit – about £3 – and I’m looking forward to putting my hands in soil again icon biggrin Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues
  • Give yourself some TLC – create a home spa and give your skin a good scrub and moisturise, put a face mask on – anything that makes you feel fab!
  • Change to a lighter, summer fragrance, if you normally wear perfume.

These are just some of the little tricks I use to jolly myself along.  I know they’re quite superficial things, but they honestly can make a difference to how you feel when you’re caught in the grip of SAD.  I recommended the spring bulbs on one of the Lumie forum threads and some of the lovely ladies there are still saying how much seeing the bulbs blossom is helping to cheer them up. icon smile Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues

If you give some of these tips a go, let me know how you get on?  How’s February been for you?  Do you feel better knowing that spring is near, or does it still feel a struggle?  Do you have any tips to add?

Happy planting/pampering/photographing, etc! icon biggrin Beat February symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD and Winter Blues

- Neens -

Image credits:
Spring shoots: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/763369
Snowdrops: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1340915

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  4. SAD and Winter Blues – Where to start?
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  • http://veganqueenrunnerbean.com Emm

    I planted some bulbs in a basket in my old surgery…….they’ve flowered and I need to get them back! I love flowers…even the dandelions :-) Great tips hun – I love having a soak in the tub and having a good old go with the Sanctuary body scrub you gave me :-) Ooh and having a good old dance around the living room tends to brighten my dull days :-) hugs x x x

    • Neens

      Thanks honey! Ooh, yep, bopping about to Rebecca Ferguson’s album while ironing… good addition! :) Or in your case, prancing, ballet babe! :D xx

  • Linda Wilkinson

    Hi Neens – great article – so true about the spring flowers – was in Museum Gardens in York over the weekend and it is a riot of colour – so uplifting even on a grey and drizzly day. My camellia tree is already in bloom which is the earliest I ever remember – usually April/May. Have just received 300 bulbs ordered online and now ready to plant them out in tubs both inside and outside – they are late spring early summer flowering. Also have a spa day booked at Center Parcs for the end of next week. Going up to Kielder this weekend for some lungfulls of good clean air. So true about the light lamp – mine is still in use every single day and especially at work. Geordie Girl :-)

    • Neens

      Hey Geordie Girl, wow you’re a million miles an hour, aren’t you? :) Some lovely sounding plans…hope you enjoy every minute! I need to take a leaf from your book and get some trips planned in.

      Camellias are so beautiful… what flowers are you looking forward to most from your 300 bulbs?

      I’ve been so hyper today, as if I’ve had coffee, but I think it was the gorgeous warm sun that did it! Bouncing off the walls and being a motormouth! :D x