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Tweet Hi everyone! I hope that your SAD or Winter Blues symptoms are starting to ease now with the longer days and the sunnier weather we’ve been enjoying recently? Have you been experiencing any hypomania? I have been so busy … Continue reading
Wishing you a lovely Easter!
Nearly... So nearly!
I hope you have a great time, whatever your plans this weekend. So British Summertime started today; let’s hope the weather catches up! 
“Spring Anticipation Anti-climax”.
It’s a great term coined by my lovely colleague Lynda and never so true as this year. So we’ve arrived at 20 March 2013 and it’s apparently the first day of spring. Where, where, where is the lovely warm sunshine then?
Hands up if you think the British weather owes us a decent summer this year, after last year’s wettest on record, a long winter and slow-burn spring? No, scrap that. Not slow-burn; I’m not even considering that spring’s actually getting started yet – it still feels like we’re firmly stuck in winter mode!
Is it me, or is this year just so different to last year? I seem to remember glorious full weeks of warm sunshine in February and March last year and everything in bloom early. Maybe I’m looking back through some rose tinted glasses that I didn’t realise I’ve put on? What do you reckon?
I know this isn’t the most positive of posts… sorry about that! I know a lot of people are feeling like this though; SAD/Winter Blues sufferers or no. We’re all thinking the same thing: “where the blummin’ heck has spring got to?” But you know what? When the snow finally packs its bags and disappears, I reckon spring’s going to seem like it just suddenly arrives. Yep; just like that! Pop! Out come the daffodils, the birds will find their song and there’ll be that lovely feeling in the air. You know the one!
Until then, I hope you’re looking after yourself, wrapping up warm and enjoying cuddling up on the couch with hot chocolate and a blanket. If nothing else I hope that the lengthening days and knowing that some day, hopefully very soon, spring will announce itself, is helping you to keep going.
Take care
Neens
Hi lovelies
Just checking in with a quick post to say that I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine and feeling heaps better for it. I certainly am! 
I know some people haven’t seen as much sun and are still struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms. I’m really sorry if this is you. If you want to chat, you can send me an email (neina@sadlightblog.info), or head over to the Lumie forum, which is still active.
We’ve been lucky to see a lot of s
unshine in Newcastle and I’ve had a really lovely weekend. It started early, with Friday off to see my best friend, Emma, getting married. She looked so beautiful and the day was just perfect.
I’ve made the most of the sunshine, too; pottering about and reading in the garden yesterday. An afternoon in the park with friends today.
I love people-watching in the sunshine. Everyone just seems so much happier and content. Parent
s are out playing with their kids. Couples are canoodling (love this word!) in the park. Friends are playing tennis and cricket, having barbecues and a good laugh.
It’s not before time is it?! Summer’s certainly kept us waiting this year – the little blighter! ;) I noticed that even those friends and colleagues that don’t suffer with SAD or Winter Blues were getting really fed up with the relentless rain and gloominess.
For my part, I was too. I started writing a post the other week, when I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and ill, but didn’t finish it. I was wondering whether I felt so bad because I wasn’t managing my SAD symptoms well, or if it was just me/life! In truth, and as is often the case, it was undoubtedly a bit of both!
This week, although the worries I had on my mind are still there, I think the sunshine and my lovely friends have helped me to feel lots better. I’ve always felt so much more able to cope with what life throws at me when the sun’s shining… do you find you’re the same?
I came across this old photo of me at maybe four years old and it made me smile because I haven’t changed a bit; I’m so happy to be out in the sunshine! When I’m 84 I’m sure I’ll still be the same!
By the way, if you’ve experienced a real surge in your energy levels and you’ve felt bouncy and fizzy since the sun came out to play, you’re not the only one! I’ve also noticed I’ve had a few people finding this blog, who’ve been searching for ‘Hypomania’. In SAD, it’s considered to be quite common when spring comes around and usually disappears quickly. However, Hypomania and Mania is also experienced by people suffering from a bipolar disorder, so it’s always best to see your doctor if you experience highs and lows year-round.
Anyway, that’s enough rambling from me for now! I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we’ll have plenty more sunshine this summer and that everyone will be feeling happy and well.
- Neens
So, hands up – who’s felt their Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD – and Winter Blues/Winter Depression symptoms return in the last few weeks?
The papers are reporting today that we’ve had a month’s worth of rainfall in 24 hours; the wettest day of the year so far. Frankly, I wish the rain would pack its bags and get lost! Yep, I’m missing the sunshine…can you tell?! Having a daily dose of artificial sunshine from my SAD light isn’t really making up for it (especially because it’s spring and it should be sunny, dammit!) Last year my colleague, Lynda, coined the term ‘spring anticipation anti-climax’… I think that’s exactly what the country’s suffering from! 
As I made my way home this evening in the rain, I thought about the things that I do, or try to focus on, to make myself feel better when the weather is what we British folk might call ‘mucky’. I thought I’d share them with you to see if they might help you feel better, too…
Things I like to do to make myself feel better:
Putting on cosy socks after being soaked.
Things I like to focus on:
When you suffer from SAD, light therapy is just one of the things you can do to manage your symptoms. Trying to adapt the way you think about the weather or darkness, treating your body with care during these conditions and a little self-indulgence can go a long way.
I’ve come to believe that if you listen to your body, it will let you know what it needs. If the darkness makes you feel like you could hibernate, sometimes it’s easiest to go with the flow and indulge that a little. Not too much, mind – you still need to get out into natural daylight and move your bones. But what I’m saying is that if you find yourself wanting more of those cosy nights in than you’d want in summer, it’s quite natural – please don’t beat yourself up about it!
Have you been struggling with the extreme change in the weather compared to the end of March? What do you do to help yourself feel better in gloomy weather?
Take care,
Neens
Image credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1204146
Helloooo!
Happy first day of the British Summer Time! And what a way we’ve marked it, with such glorious weather here in the North East… I hope you’re feeling the benefits of the longer daylight hours and the sunshine?
Tonight I watched the sun go down at about 7.15pm and it felt like such a milestone in managing my Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD. Finally, I reckon I can stop using my light each day (although it will be on when it’s particularly dull).
I wanted to do a lighter post today (‘scuse the pun!), since my last one was rather serious. So, I thought I’d share my top five spring/summer essentials with you…
1) A camera
I rewarded myself for my efforts at the gym today by sitting outside with a cuppa, a biscuit and a book, in the company of these little guys… honestly, they were everywhere! I finished a beginners’ digital photography course this week, so I’m looking forward to practising my new-found skills this summer. I only had my compact camera today; the SLR I borrowed from work for the class would have been great to use for this macro shot, but my trusty compact didn’t do too bad!
2) Innovative clothing solutions
Ladies, I bought some of these recently and they are just brilliant! Thanks to my lovely colleague Sarah, for spotting these in the Avon catalogue, and remembering that I’d been after a solution like this! They’re perfect for wearing with blouses, wrap dresses/tops and v-neck tops. It means that you don’t have to overheat in two layers, just to avoid giving people an eye full!
3) Handbag organiser
I’m sure these have probably always been around in some form, but I’ve been late to cotton on! I bought one recently and can now find my office key/pass, my name badge, hair brush, lip balm, painkillers and all those other bits and bobs that normally hide at the bottom of my bag. It also appeals to my ‘lazy mare’ instinct, making it easy for me to change handbags quickly, without having to pull everything out and swap over. I’ve also found a large beach bag version, which I might consider investing in, too… just need to get my holiday sorted now!
4) Sanctuary salt scrub
I just love this stuff. It’s wildly indulgent (for me, anyway!), so I usually buy it with gift vouchers I’m given, or Boots points. It’s one of those luxuries that makes me feel really pampered and leaves my skin so soft. It’s great for this time of year when you want your skin to glow, and when you’re using lots of sun cream that can clog your pores.
5) Long-lasting sun cream
Speaking of sun cream, I use a long-lasting sun protection cream or spray most days in summer. I burn really easily, but I love sitting out at lunchtime reading a good book. There’s many times in the past when I’ve been caught out and have burned, so now I try to be more careful and apply in the morning, so I can be protected on the way to work and at lunchtime, without having to worry about re-applying.
So, there you have it… my spring/summer essentials. I wish I’d heard about some of these earlier, so I hope you will find them as ‘essential’ if you decide to give them a try! What would be your top five essentials? How are you feeling now the clocks have gone forward?
On another note, I may not post so often during spring and summer, as hopefully everyone will be feeling happy and healthy during these months. I will do a post about Summer SAD, though, and if you ever need to chat, do feel free to get in touch, as I will be monitoring the site and still posting occasionally. Maybe you can post some suggestions for other topics you’d like me to cover?
Take care,
- Neens -
Yippee, Happy March! In the official Neens’ book, 1 March is the start of spring and a real milestone – it’s still light when I leave work around 5.30pm. I hope that the increase in daylight hours is starting to ease your Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD – and Winter Blues symptoms, too.
I met for a catch up with one of my friends the other night and he commented that I was especially chipper. Translation: I was being a motor-mouth! Anyone who has ever met me will know that I’m a real chatterbox generally; honestly, I am that person who’s chatting away to a complete stranger at a bus stop, on the train, in the gym…
But this week, we’ve had some fab sunny weather and I have been bouncing-off-the-walls, hyper! You’d think I’d had several cups of strong coffee on some of the days.
I think most people would say they feel a sense of wellbeing when the sun shines. But if you’re suddenly feeling a marked surge of energy, and you know that you suffer from SAD, then you might be experiencing what’s known as Hypomania. I’m sure I get this; I’m like a little kid at Christmas listening for Santa, except that I’m running to the window to see how sunny it is and longing to be out in it!
At this time of year I’m easily excitable, full of plans and ready to take on the world. That is, when the sun’s shining.
This morning, I woke up to really misty, murky weather and I felt flat. It brightened up in the afternoon, and having used my light lamp, I was back to being Tigger! I appreciate that to a non-sufferer, this might seem completely bizarre. It’s a weird time of the year when you suffer from SAD.
I was reminded of something else, talking to my friend the other night. Now is not the time to make big decisions. Yep, you might feel like you can take on the world, but if you’re experiencing these swings that I’ve described, it’s worth waiting until they’ve settled down a bit before taking action.
I’m speaking from experience. I’ve made big decisions in the past around this time of year that I wish I’d not made, or given a bit more thought to. That burst of energy can bring about a bit of the no-nonsense, ‘let’s get on with it’, ‘I’m taking no prisoners’ kinda attitude. Sound familiar?
Making plans is great – it’s an ideal time for that, if you’re feeling fired up and motivated. Why not grab your pen and paper and jot down some thoughts on what you want to do for the rest of the year? I’ve always thought January is a rubbish time of year to make resolutions and plans, anyway – so much better to do it once you’re feeling energised and ready to put them into action.
But if your thoughts are on life-changing decisions, such as quitting your job, ending a relationship, moving, etc., then maybe just hold fire on making a final decision until you’re feeling less gung-ho.
Does anything I’ve said ring true for you? Or do you disagree? Do you think that you experience Hypomania?
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
- Neens –
Image credits:
Chatter Teeth: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/424094
To-Do: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1151807
Hi everyone 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!
Well, first thing’s first – spring is most definitely on its way (really, I promise you, it is! ) 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!):
Get 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! Or treat yourself to some cut tulips or daffs…
If 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 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.
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!
- Neens -
Image credits:
Spring shoots: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/763369
Snowdrops: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1340915