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Across the Fence:  Seasonal Affective Disorder-Natural Remedy?  |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 06 2012 : 5:05:50 PM
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The tree is down and all the decorations are boxed ready to be put back down in the basement to wait until next year.
Kind of blue today-Tears just at the edge. I get like this every winter and I know that I just need some sunlight and a count-down until spring!
Any one else suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Sure would love some natural remedy ideas for this debilitating condition.
Talk to me ladies....
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2012 : 5:50:54 PM
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Melody,
If you are not taking Vitamin D, start now! Start with 5,000 i.u. of Vitamin D3. Also, try and spend 10 - 15 minutes outside whenever it is sunny. Growing up in PA, I suffered from SAD for most of my life. Since moving out West and supplementing with D3, my SAD has all but disappeared!
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2012 : 5:56:53 PM
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I was just reading about the VItamin D. I have to head to the pharmacy tomorrow to pick up some epsom salts and I will definitely get me some.
I do have a room in this old boat of a house-actually the front room that has 3 very large long windows where I sit and embroider-I've been spending a lot of time there trying to soak up some of our feeble winter sun while it is out during the day, but I really think the Vit. D will help too!
Thank you...
Melody |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13645 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13645 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13645 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13645 Posts |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2012 : 6:37:58 PM
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Full spectrum lights they can go in any lamp and help a ton. I have lamps on both sides of my chair I sit in the most and It really really works.
I also get outside as much as I can when it is sunny.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1507 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1507 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2012 : 7:25:49 PM
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Oh,yeah! I live near Seattle so I know exactly what you are talking about.
Vitamin D, B-stress vitamins, Vitamin C, lots of full spectrum lights, and plenty of exercise...even on the not so sunny days....works best for me. I find that just getting outdoors on a dreary day for a walk and a dose of fresh air helps most of the time. Also, I've learned that it helps to stay active with projects that involve working with other people away from home to keep myself going. In my case I volunteer with my Rotary club's auction during Dec - March. This gives me tasks to do and keeps me socially active. If I wake up every morning with a plan of what I'm going to get done that day I'm more likely to succeed than if I tell myself I'll figure that out when I get up. Otherwise I tend to hibernate too much.
Another thing that often helps is to stay on fairly rigid sleep schedule. I try to get right around 8 hours of sleep every night and get up/go to bed at about the same time every day. I also have one of those natural light alarm clocks that really helps me wake up in the morning.
But to keep things in balance, I do have to be careful I don't over plan my schedule at this time of the year. Just have to accept the fact that I can't do as much in the winter as I can at other times of the year. Once I finally came to terms with this aspect of SAD I've been able to manage my doldrums pretty well without medication.
Some people use light therapy boxes. I tried it once but they gave me headaches so I quit. I know there are also some herbs that supposedly help with depression and SAD but I can't take any of them for allergy reasons so I'm not familiar with them. I believe Hypericum was one. I also believe a healthy diet has an impact on how I feel.
There is a book on this subject titled "Winter Blues - Seasonal Affective Disorder - What it is and how to overcome it" by Norman E. Rosenthal M.D. It's an older book from the early 1990's but has some good information.
Oh....and don't forget Chocolate!
Hope you feel better soon!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 04:48:30 AM
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hey gals,
Where do you pick up full spectrum lights?
marianne |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 06:24:19 AM
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The same day when the tree comes down, it's tradition to also put up the crystal Christmas ornament from the past year in the east facing window.
(Discovered the Swarovski name about 12 years ago but have been a crystal collector for years longer) It's a blast to find old chandalier parts in antique stores. No doubt the good ones are probably from this company. The shine will hurt your eyes it's so brilliant.
When the sun shines, the entire room is full of prisms. It only does this when the sun is low this time of year. Kind of fitting when there is very little sun, but very intense. It can't help but lift one's spirits.
You can find these prisms at antique stores from old chandeliere (sp) parts. So you can maybe start your own tradition by finding these crystals and waiting to put them up the same day your tree comes down- or on the very next day when there is sun.
I have 48 crystals so far, and around 10:00 is when the rainbows become the most intense. The last rainbows appear around 4 in the afternoon, so I take advantage of all sun angles.
And the rainbows start to disappear near the end of February which signals the approach of Spring and a higher set of the sun....always encouraging! Sadly, more rainbows in Septamber means dark days are coming, but pretty prisms, so there's a tradeoff.
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1507 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1507 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 07:02:17 AM
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Full spectrum lights can be specially designed task lighting such as Ott-Lites or you can also buy light bulbs and tubes for regular fixtures that emit full spectrum lighting. Other terms I've seen used instead of full spectrum are "Day" or "Natural" lighting. Just read the package to make sure they say full spectrum somewhere in the fine print. Any well stocked hardware store should carry them. I simply use full spectrum bulbs in all the fixtures in my house.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 07:45:06 AM
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WOW! Just the thought of a row of sparkling crystals strung from window to window in my front room sounds so beautiful. Saturday is "chore" day here at the house and I am going to hit our local antique stores in search of some and also try our local hardware store for the Ott-lites.
Thank you ladies!
Mel |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 09:49:07 AM
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| Melody I have been feeling the same way all week, my boss even asked me what was wrong ! I feel better today with the beautiful sunshine we are having, but have just felt blue and out of sorts. will try some of the suggestions the ladies wrote and hope it helps you and me |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2012 : 6:34:15 PM
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Yep, I do the vita-D,,, and if the sun does poke it's head out,,, I pull up a chair by the window & grab a magazine and try to enjoy the sunlight while I can... As a fromer SO.CAL GAL,,, Winter up here is really hard on me.... I am a sunshine kinda person.
I have a 18" ott-light type hanging lamp that I use when reading....
I know that CostCo had the Full spectrum lights last year....I was just being to cheap to buy one...duh!
One thing I have just started doing is turning my radio on with fun happy~move yer butt kind of music,,, from Jazz to Swing Dance.... as silly as it sounds it makes me move around and I seem to be a little more cheery....
Worth a try and the energy isn't bad either!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2012 : 04:23:04 AM
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Hey Grace,
Your local Costco expert (me) would like you to know that Costco still had the full spectrum set up near the pharmacy. It seems like an ordeal that you have to sit in front of, rather than the light=bulb changes everyone has been talking about. I think I'll try to pick up a few light bulbs.
As you know, we have those floor-to-ceiling windows, but that doesn't do much after 4:30-5 o'clock these days!! Plus they are north facing and the sun doesn't shine "in" the windows. Wish I had some big southwest facing windows...
Marianne |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 05:35:36 AM
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Although I can't say that we all have it, I do see a difference in our house in winter. When the sun is out, and the kids are out in it, they are much happier.
I put my clothes on my outside like year round. When the sun is shining bright, I tend to take my good ol' time coming back inside. I also put a chair out there (or take one out), and sit for 20 minutes. It really does help. Our house lighting is terrible, and winter times can cause the depressed feelings here.
I do take vit.D3 also.
I good laugh helps too. I know its hard to do that, but maybe watching some old movies or comedy could help. We get a huuuuge laugh watching our family videos here.
Let us know how things go. 
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 08:18:32 AM
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Anna, your crystals sound beautiful! You should post a picture. Very curious as to what it looks like with all those crystals!
I live in Wisconsin so we have long, cold winters. I guess when winter rolls around I don't get so much depressed as I do less motivated. My brother and I were talking about SAD just the other day. We were wondering if it's just the sun we miss, or if it's the fresh air? When it's cold outside we obviously spend more time inside. I'm sure it's a combination of both sun and air. I know it's not always feasable in the winter, but maybe just getting a brisk walk in every day and getting some fresh air going through your lungs might help with the depression a bit along with the vitamin D? |
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Joey
True Blue Farmgirl
1868 Posts
Joey
Gulf Coast
FL
USA
1868 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:12:08 PM
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I've had SAD my whole life. I remember it even as a young child. I feel SO much better living in Florida. I know that doesn't help you, but I'd love to have you visit. I can't offer more that anyone else above except that St. Johns Wort is also used for depression, so that might help. Up North, I used a light-a big ol thing in the beginning of SAD recognition by the medical community-and it REALLY helped me. SAD happens because the lack of sunlight in the winter decreases the serotonin levels in your brain, therefore the "sunlight" lamps and bulbs help.
I have never even thought about the prisms. It sounds SO lovely. Thank you for sharing that and I would also like to see a picture. Joey
Well behaved women rarely make history. |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 12:57:23 PM
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It's so debilitating--the house looks like hell and I barely budge from the couch on most days-No appetite, no energy, no motivation and if I try to do something I rarely complete the task. It's boring and it's annoying to my family-I just hate this.
My front room is very bright when the sun is out so I spend most of my day in there. I plan on starting the Vitamin D today if I can drag myself to Walgreen's and have been checking out Etsy for prisms.
Thank you so much CJ and Joey for the invitation to visit-That made me cry!
And, thank you ladies for all the posts-I sure LOVE my farmgirl sisters...
Mel |
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vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13645 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13645 Posts |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 11:20:37 AM
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oH I love that CJ! "Keep your stick on the ice" Love you lots and lots!
And many, many, many thanks for the invitation to come and visit---One of these days you are going to find me suitcase in hand standing on your front porch!!!
Take care...
P.S. The sun is shining in the front room and I am going through my quilting stash which makes me SMILE!
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 3:55:40 PM
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I'll certainly try for a photo!
Haven't had much success with photo bucket though :(
10:00 to 12:00 it's the most intense. The entire room is COVERED in prisms all over the place!
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oregonatural
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
Susan
Sprague River
OR
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2012 : 7:07:25 PM
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I was working at a hospital when the Sleep Study center there sent out a request for any volunteers who suffered from SAD. THREE people in my department volunteered me! Until that moment, I just thought everybody got sluggish and blue in the winter! Boy, what an eye opener this study was!
They gave me a "dawn simulator" to use for 6 weeks. The idea here is that you set it for your regular wake up time, say 6AM. And then it turns on about 5am and slowly slowly brings your room to fully BRIGHT so that by 6am, you are AWAKE, believe me. No noise necessary and it did wonders for my SAD symptoms! The idea is that even though your eyes are closed, you still process light through your eyelids and that affects the melatonin production naturally in your brain. It was simple.
The Dr. who ran the study also told me that full spectrum light was not the key, but the number of LUX in the light (I guess that's a measure of the brightness) and the timing is critical. You have to have at least 20 minutes of at least 250 watts, within 30 minutes of waking. All that affects our natural sleep/wake cycles called our circadian rhythm. Apparently it has a LOT to do with our moods, and a desire to carbo-load. When I got all the stuff worked out I even lost weight! What a terrific side-effect!
Anyway, good luck finding what will work for you. Everyone is different, but all these posts are GREAT tips. I agree that keeping on a pretty regular sleep schedule is really important, also Vitamin D and plenty of exercise and fresh air daily helps. If you work in an office, try to get out from under those awful fluorescent lights too.
Love on!
Susan
My random wacky off-grid blog: http://oregonnatural.blogspot.com/
Blessings on you from the bottom of my mountain girl heart! |
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Joey
True Blue Farmgirl
1868 Posts
Joey
Gulf Coast
FL
USA
1868 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2012 : 09:36:49 AM
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Melody, I hope you've gotten on some vitamins and are starting to feel a little better. I was serious about the invite to visit me in Florida too.
Anna, on the way back from Phila, PA we stopped in Savannah, GA and I bought a prism based on your post. I hung it in the window and all these little rainbows happened. It is lovely. Thank you so much for the idea. I now think of you almost every day. Joey
Well behaved women rarely make history. |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2012 : 12:14:17 PM
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I have a light box, and I think it really does help. I've got it set up on my desk, so as soon as I wake up I sit down, switch it on, and check my e-mail and check the news of the day for half an hour.
Jessie Mae
Farmgirl Sisterhood #134 |
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Across the Fence: Seasonal Affective Disorder-Natural Remedy? |
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Seasonal Affective Disorder-Natural Remedy?
