| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 10 2009 : 10:51:28 PM
I just have this depression that has come upon me lately. I don't have ANY energy to do anything but sit or sleep. Usually this doesn't affect me until around Feb/March, but it's early this year. I have projects I need to get done like reorganize the office, take down the Christmas tree and decorations, etc. I just don't know what to do about it. I try to force myself, but to no avail. My family is lucky at this point that I can muster up enough energy to fix supper.
Does anyone else have this problem? How are you dealing with it?? What suggestions do you have for me to try to get over this??
BTW it doesn't help that we still have 1 foot of snow after raining for a week. We have it all here: Ice, Snow, and Mud.....go figure.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 9:40:10 PM
Thanks so much for joining in so I don't feel like the only one with this. I have been doing much better since I got the lights and it's helped that the sun has been shinning here finally. I've been going outside in the sun as much as possible too. Come summer, I'll be hibernating again as much as I can due to being allergic to the sun for the last 2 years now. Guess I just am harder to please than I thought.  .
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| downbranchroad |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 9:03:47 PM
Girls, I am not sure how it would be for me if we had winters like that. Here in Southern KY you never know, it might be 15 today and 40 in a few days. They are giving a chance of some snow tonight. I just took the dogs for a walk and I did see a few flurries! I am sure it will not be over an inch or two, more than likely not that much.
What I wouldnt give for about a month here at home to catch up on a few of the things I want to do but never seem to have the time. Sometimes I get all down and out, and think shoot, if I have to work all the time, I dont need "stuff". I never have time to clean and enjoy it.
Girls, hope you all can feel better soon and enjoy this time before a busy summer sets in.
Appalachian Girl
Jem
*If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.
http://downbranchroad.blogspot.com |
| acairnsmom |
Posted - Jan 18 2009 : 8:48:14 PM
It's good to know that there are lots of us who understand the complete lack of energy at this time of year. Looking back at my life I've suffered from this since I was a kid. I used to sleep so much in the winter my sister gave me the nickname of Woody Woodchuck and called my sleeping hibernation. It also explains why I don't really care for Christmas (too much work and no energy) and why I cry so much in January & February. I can literally feel myself perk up come March.
I use the full spectrum bulbs and sit under them as often as I can. I'll be trying the vitamin D (funny since I was wondering about the possible Vit D deficiency cause just this morning). The tanning beds I think would probably work but I have so much sun damage on my skin as it is that I think I'd be a bit leary to try this fix. The good news is I can usually muster enough energy to check the boards and participate in these discussions!
Hang in there girls, spring is just around the corner!
Audrey
Toto, we're not in Kansas any more! |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 16 2009 : 6:43:49 PM
Mary beth, I love those pussy willows too, Nothing spells spring like those & forcing yellow forcythia blooms.. I wish I had both...I planted my tulips in October I sure would like to see them push their heads up.. But I know it is tooooo early...Shusks!
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou |
| Prairie Princess |
Posted - Jan 16 2009 : 6:24:41 PM
I was just thinking about SAD on my way home from work today, since I've been unusually BLAH...I'm with Alee on tanning, that's going to be my fix. :) And the vitamin D is also a great way to combat this. Also, I'm going to plant some tulip bulbs I've had in the fridge, get my hands in the dirt, and think about spring. ;)
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Jan 16 2009 : 12:03:19 AM
This winter has been getting me down too. Maybe because we got way too much snow and I was snowbound with 2 little boys---and I mean stuck at home. But this is what I saw today and my spirits lifted. You can see the day was gray and gloomy, but the Pussy willows were gorgeous.
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 15 2009 : 11:14:23 PM
Diana, the guy at Home Depot told me if I got the 4' bulbs then not to put the shade or cover over it as it defeats the purpose of what you want to use it for. I agree though they have been helping me tremendously!!
Re: your DH, he is just too funny!!!!!!!!!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Jan 15 2009 : 5:19:51 PM
Full spectrum lights help a lot I couldn't figure out what it was either. They are not to much $20.00 desk type are great light for sewing rooms and such they also have 4 foot bulbs that can go into a regular floresent fixture. I have one in my office and one in my sewing room and one I use by my chair at night and it has help TONS. I told Dh about this and he suggested the old lava lamp we had I had to explain that is wasnt something fun to watch it was the light itself that helps.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 11:34:08 PM
Misty- I don't know how the pioneers did it in the winter. Maybe they got enough vitamin D from whole milk from the cows? It would definitely be interesting to find a real "old timer" (that would mean older than me:) ) and ask them how they handled it.
Michelle- I never heard of cod liver oil helping but if it works, then maybe I'll try it too. It will have to wait until the next time I go to town though.
Thank you all for the great information. That's what makes this site so great--the comraderie and the sharing of information to make something better!!
GO FARM GIRLS!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| crafter |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 12:26:34 PM
you may ask your Doc to prescribe vit d for you- you may have to have a lab done first to see if it is on the lower level- I know it has helped me so much. It's hard to wait for spring, when there is sooo much snow and cold, gloomyiness! Chin up- we will make it together!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| kmbrown |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 11:16:34 AM
I have struggled with this for several years and then....a friend of mine told me to take Cod Liver Oil. (you can buy capsules!) One of the reasons we feel blah and less energetic is because of the lack of natural vitamin D from the sun...which is why tanning beds make you feel a little better!!! You are not getting natural vit. D but you are getting the solar rays. Anyway, I have started taking 2 capsules a day and feel incredibly better. Rock on Vitamin D!! |
| babysmama |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 10:11:58 AM
The past two weeks I have been feeling like this and yesterday I literally wanted to stay in bed all day (can't with three little ones!) and figured something was horribly wrong with me. But then I remembered that I feel like this most winters starting in Jan. and lasting until spring, this year is just a little worse. It doesn't help being stuck inside with three small children who are climbing the walls and every week we have been hit with snow, ice, and cold. Today we are in for blizzard like conditions and the rest of the week will be bitterly cold air. Sounds like fun, right?
I will check out those light bulbs. Has anyone wondered how the pioneers did it being stuck in their dug outs all winter without tv, a radio, a car to get out somewhere, or Maryjane's chat forum?! I think there MUST have been a lot of mental illness in the middle of winter out on the plains!
-Elizabeth |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 12:30:36 AM
Thanks Alee, I never new fair skinned people could use a tanning bed. The only people I ever knew that used them usually became bronze in color and I knew I wouldn't.
I'll have to check around here to see if there are any close. I love getting ideas of new things to try here!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 9:59:24 PM
Cindy- I am also very pale skinned. I joke that I glow in the dark! But even 3 minutes under the lights of the tanning booth and I can feel a huge difference. Almost a giddy rush of energy and a smile I can't take off my face for about a day! Usually they are fairly cheap to try. I would suggest trying it out once for about 3 minutes to see how you feel after wards. If your skin doesn't like the booth you wouldn't have a huge investment in it. I hate feeling miserable in winter so I will be buying the full spectrum bulbs but I am also going to find a place here in Billings where I can buy some minutes to tan with.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 7:36:25 PM
Ladies, thank you all for your comraderie. I had to go to Lewiston to get the bulbs and the sun was out. I didn't get cured by the afternoon of sunlight, but did have a little energy when I got home.
I got the full spectrum bulbs at Home Depot and they were about $5 for a box of 6 bulbs. I put them in right away when I got home(as it was already dark) and I can see a difference in the color of light they put off. I'm hoping they will work until Spring and Summer arrive.
I hope this will help those of you in the same shape I'm in by letting you know how inexpensive they are. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Alee, I don't know if a tanning bed would be a good idea for me as in the last 2 years I've become allergic to the sun and break-out. Also I'm a very fair skinned red head. I don't tan, I burn. Always hated that, but that's a different topic.
I'll let you all know in a few days if I've slipped right back to my "slump" or if the lights do really help.
Stay tuned for the outcome 
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| peachy |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 5:42:48 PM
This must be my problem too, winter blahs! We had plans to go away all weekend (errands, visiting friends etc) and it has not stopped snowing since Friday morning...we're up to 10+ inches now, haven't left the house and it's still coming down!!! I'm just praying for alittle hint of sunshine sometime next week!!!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
| melody |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 4:28:14 PM
SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder....purely cyclic and this will pass as soon as we get more sun! I have suffered through this for years it helps to know it will not last for long.
Find yourself a sunny spot and sit for a while then get moving. :)
Melody
www.bythebayhandcraftedsoap.com
Support the battered women's shelter on Pine Ridge Reservation! http://FriendsofPineRidgeReservation.org |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 10:13:36 AM
I haven't bought any full-spectrum bulbs in awhile, but when I did, they were at a good health food store. I'm not sure if Walmart would have them...I'd hope so, but I wouldn't rely on it. I think I paid about $7 per bulb.
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 09:25:07 AM
Cindy, that must be what's wrong with me. We have had so much rain and wet weather lately. I can't handle all the cloudy dreary days. I don't want to do a thing. But this past week the sun's been shining and all is well! I got SO much done and it's just amazing what a little sunshine will do. I am convinced now that I have winter blues, too. I used to love winter. But now that I'm a half century old, things are different. I am so anxious for spring to be here.
SO hold on, beautiful days are just around the corner! Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 05:49:28 AM
I have had it especially the last 3 days. If I am at home I can't seem to get anything done, so I have been out of the house getting errands run (even if they are just made up on the spot errands! LOL) If you are having a really hard time of it, you should look into using a tanning bed for even 5 minutes a few times a week. It really does help. I love the tanning beds! I think I am going to splurge a little and buy my self some tans to dole out slowly until summer arrives.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 05:32:52 AM
Cindy- one of the MAIN reasons I live where it is warm and sunny 90% of the time is due to seasonal depression. When I lived up North, I got it bad, from November- March. It was awful, even though I would try to get outside as much as I can. I never tried the light bulb thing but I hope it helps you. I do believe in the power of the sun for healing and health. I will send some Texas sun your way. : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
|
| Mother Hen |
Posted - Jan 10 2009 : 11:39:22 PM
Michelle, thanks for your reply. Can you get one of those full spectrum light bulbs at a place like walmart? or do you have to special order it from somewhere?
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Jan 10 2009 : 11:11:52 PM
Yes, I have that struggle too. This year I escaped to SoCal, and suddenly became my old self. I've heard getting a really good full-spectrum lightbulb can help. A quick get-away to sunny places is nice, but maybe not in the budget for every year. Try to find a way to balance your light-dark...it is most pronounced up here in the northwest where most SAD (seasonal affected disorder) takes place. Hang in there!
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
