The Winter Blues

Hi friends and welcome back! So this topic is similar to my Anxiety Blog, in that…I’m not a doctor. I can’t tell you what’s right for you, but I’m hoping that by telling you a bit about myself and my experiences, you can find tools that do work for you. The more we help each other, the more we get ahead and the better off we will be 💙.

So, when I talk about the winter blues, I’m really referring to SAD, which is Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Google states that it “is a type of depression that’s related to changes of seasons with symptoms for most people that start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping energy and making you feel moody”.

These are my experiences with SAD:

• Doesn’t happen every year

• Different every year, depending on what I’m doing

• Time period changes from year to year

• Energy is low, but is more likely due to decreased activity and higher food intake during winter

• I am not necessarily more moody, but more closed down, less talkative

• Cry for no reason (that I’m aware of)

• Feelings of dread, loneliness, anxiety

• Note also that with the current Pandemic, my symptoms are tenfold because of restrictions, being isolated, alone, and falling into the fold of public panic.

So first, I will give the known reasons for SAD and then I will discuss a bit about each of the above topics. Next, I will share with you how I combat (or attempt to combat) seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and depression. Please note, I do not take medication for depression or anxiety. I highly believe there is a trigger to these symptoms…something that happens in your life that pulls the trigger. (Since I am an advocate for discussing anxiety and depression, I will be writing about the Pandemic later this year since it so greatly affects these symptoms).

Seasonal affective disorder is:

• increased in areas with less sunlight (near the poles)

• occurs with insufficient levels of Vitamin D

• day hours are decreased in fall —> Less Sunlight —> Less time outside —> (Less time Vitamin D) —> Less exercise

• not experienced by everyone

I find that I do not experience SAD every year. I think it depends on what is currently going on in my life. For example, when I am super busy, I tend to forget about the crappy, cold weather and dark days. More now, since I am working from home and I don’t go outside over much. (This is somewhat ironic since one of the things that prevents SAD is getting more Vitamin D from sunlight). In my past, I tended to experience SAD more when there were triggers involved. For instance, a few years back I went through a very traumatic time in my life and the winter months were just terrible for me. When I know that I have a solid foundation (safe living conditions, no fighting, healthy food to eat, the overall feeling of “safety”, less stress), I tend to be much happier and I do not fall into the slump that is depression.

I also don’t always experience SAD in fall. It usually creeps into my life around the end of January, early-mid February. I will be sitting at my kitchen table, planning or writing in my journal and I will stare out at the desolate winter landscape and just think “Ugh! When will this be over?” Usually in fall, the air smells crisp and delightful, the days are still warm and I am still spending a great deal of time outside. Usually around that time of year, I’m digging up dead plants and winterizing the yard. I usually go from Holiday to Holiday. So, if there’s a celebration to be had, everything’s great. It’s the long stretches in between that get to me.

It was REALLY hard to find a dreary winter picture because I never take pictures of the outside when it’s like that. This one is from 2019, September 12.

I experience low energy, and I’m more happy to stay inside where it’s warm and not venture out too far from my house. I don’t particularly like to drive in winter on the icy roads (I’ve never been in an accident, but I just feel safer not driving, but when I need to, I do go out). That’s probably why I’m less talkative and I’m not a phone person. I hate holding the phone to my ear for hours. I’d much rather text or visit in person. Regarding being a homebody and driving in winter, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I’m pretty sure the majority of the population feels the same. In winter, we tend to eat more, because we have more hours inside the house, not being active. This also makes you feel lethargic and have low energy. Again, if you feel this way, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have seasonal affective disorder.

I’m more prone to cry for no reason during January and February. Not only am I spending more time inside, I don’t see the sun as much and I don’t go outside. I tend to sit more and think of things (good memories, bad memories), both can make me feel upset; the first because I miss the memory and the second because the memory is bad. When it’s summer, I’m usually doing something outside and I don’t have time to think about anything bad, because I’m doing the thing I love. (I LOVE sunbathing, having a beer and playing loud, fun music in my backyard. I love playing water balloons and bringing out the pool for my kids (and me) LOL. I will have a blog talking about summer in May or June).

Now, talking about doing things that help seasonal affective disorder:

• Journaling

• Planning

• Scrapbooking

• Having tea

• Distraction

• Doing something I love (I get super involved with my work)

• Watching Movies

• Reading Books

• Actually taking Vitamin D (babies need 400 IU (international units) per day, and adults need 1000 IU. You can buy different concentrations for each; make sure you read the labels) NOTE: I’ve heard different things about this…some people say taking excessive Vitamin D helps Covid Symptoms. I’ve had 2 doctors say that giving your baby more than 400 UI Vitamin D is ok, since it is released in the urine. I’ve had one nurse say you should always only give the recommended dose. All I know is, I don’t know if I was given any growing up and as an adult I didn’t know you were supposed to take a supplement at all. All I take is my Postpartum Multivitamin. I would recommend taking the drops for sure if you live in an area with little sunlight in winter (like Alberta, Canada) and also if you work nightshift.

• Some people sit in front of bright lights to imitate artificial sunlight. (You’re body produces Vitamin D only if you are in contact with light. Some people may not produce Vitamin D, and some people may produce it but may not be able to absorb it. (This happened to me with Vitamin B). You can easily find out by getting a blood test. I am also not recommending tanning, tanning booths, or staring at the sun. You should always use Sunscreen and Protective lens Sunglasses. (There’s that Baz Luhrmann song again)…I swear I live by that song. LOL.

Well folks, that’s it. I hope this blog gave you some helpful information or insight. Again, I’m not a doctor, but this is what info I’ve picked up along the way and wanted to share it with you to lend a helping hand.

xoxo! SAN 💙