The winter blues set in early this year, and I know I’m not going south even though I talk about it every Fall. So I looked up an article on SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), thinking I might find a way to combat my lousy attitude. I like one of the articles. It gives me a good excuse to be grumpy and lazy. I mean, it ain’t my fault. Winter is doing it to me.
The author talks about a variety of maladies: depression; low energy; sleep problems; hunger for carbs (including sugar, like sugar is key to a bout of SAD); trouble concentrating (like that’s new). The author makes some distinction between Fall and Winter SAD and Spring and Summer SAD. I’ll buy the notion of Fall and Winter SAD, but Spring and Summer SAD must be for people who already have chronic depression. (I’ll not make light of chronic depression. It is a serious matter for a lot of people, serious enough for them to need help.)
Solutions mentioned in the SAD article include an appointment with the Mayo Clinic (sure, we all have a clinic right next door), counseling, and a SAD light. (Oops, here comes the commercial pitch so common to these health articles. I don’t know, maybe I’m not so sad after all.)
Lest I be accused of making light of SAD, I do know a couple of people who really suffer through the winter. They each have my sympathy because SAD is very real for them, and a strong bout of sunlight is about the only cure for their depression.
As for me, I’ve decided to battle SAD this way:
Depression – For a while, I plan to stop listening to any news except the weather, play a lot of upbeat music, write blogs, call old friends, and plan the first Spring outing. Oh, yeah…I nearly forgot…and charge the boat batteries…and wind new line on my fishing reels. I’m sure that will help. (I do believe in the power of positive thinking.)
Concentrating – I’m going to find a dose of Doctor Carson’s memory pills…if I can remember to put it on the list for my next trip to town. (Carson’s pills are on the shelves now, I’m told.)
Sleeping problems – I think I’ll exercise a little more and see if that helps. If not, I’ll get a lot of reading done at night. Not going to worry about that one.
Low energy – I can’t say I suffer from low energy, but at times I just don’t care to do much of anything…except play pool and watch a little football. (It’s cold and raining or snowing out there!)
Weight gain – Can’t say weight gain is a seasonal problem because I diet in all seasons. (Wow. What a title for a diet book: “A Diet for All Seasons.”)
Finally, after working my way through the SAD article, and writing this blog, I’ve decided I’m not so SAD after all. I’m sure I’ll find an answer to help me chase the winter blues away. (There is always Arizona.)
Rod
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