I've been lucky enough to have spent the northern summer in sunny places, recently returning from Portugal. After a really difficult winter last year, with bad weather and some personal issues to resolve, I have been feeling recharged. However, having been back in England for a couple of weeks, with grey weather, rain and the air temperature dropping, I can feel my mood lowering already. I still take St Johns Wort, and I'm looking forward to a bit more sun in October.
Something popped into my inbox a few days ago, and I'm starting to research it. I'll be publishing an article on www.sadaffectivedisorder.com in the next few weeks about it. You may have heard the salesman's mantra "PMA, PMA" (that's positive mental attitude). Now, if you suffer from SAD you will know that it's ok to say the words, but changing your mood is very difficult to do. There are numerous techniques which I discuss on my website , but this upcoming one will be in addition.
Monday 27 September 2010
Monday 26 April 2010
A Pet Therapy for SAD Sufferers
Those of you who follow my blog and visit my site will know that I adopt a holistic approach to my own SAD condition. I've just added an article about the ways in which keeping a pet can help alleviate some of the symptoms. Check out the full article here: www.sadaffectivedisorder.com
I have kept springer spaniels for many years - they are really active and affectionate dogs and ideal for a SAD sufferers who wants to take the pet therapy route. Find out more about them at www.springerspanieladvice.com
I have kept springer spaniels for many years - they are really active and affectionate dogs and ideal for a SAD sufferers who wants to take the pet therapy route. Find out more about them at www.springerspanieladvice.com
Saturday 27 March 2010
Northern Spring, Southern Autumn
Well, the clocks go forward tonight - that's always a good sign. With daylight now appearing at 5.30 am the increased sunlight levels are helping. However, if you live in the southern hemisphere, then the onset of SAD symptoms will be starting and your clocks will be going back.
It's been a tough winter up here, coldest for 30 years in W Europe and the US East Coast has had a bad time too. I did make a significant change to my diet in the New Year. For many years I have rarely eaten eggs, except for the very occasional omelette or scrambled on toast - that means maybe once a month. Of course, there are eggs in pasta, cakes and so on. The reason I minimised them was because I had read that they were heavy on cholesterol. Now, my 'bad' cholesterol level hasn't been too bad at about 5.9, but my SAD has been intense. So, besides upping my exercise levels and taking St John's Wort, I have started to eat an egg every second day - usually poached.
Now I do look forward to my egg, and I do believe it has made a difference. Also, I've been adding some pate' to my regular foods - the liver content is beneficial. Of course, spring is coming (for us northerners) and that always helps, but I do believe the eggs and pate have made a difference. You can find out more about dietary balance for seasonal affective disorder here.
It's been a tough winter up here, coldest for 30 years in W Europe and the US East Coast has had a bad time too. I did make a significant change to my diet in the New Year. For many years I have rarely eaten eggs, except for the very occasional omelette or scrambled on toast - that means maybe once a month. Of course, there are eggs in pasta, cakes and so on. The reason I minimised them was because I had read that they were heavy on cholesterol. Now, my 'bad' cholesterol level hasn't been too bad at about 5.9, but my SAD has been intense. So, besides upping my exercise levels and taking St John's Wort, I have started to eat an egg every second day - usually poached.
Now I do look forward to my egg, and I do believe it has made a difference. Also, I've been adding some pate' to my regular foods - the liver content is beneficial. Of course, spring is coming (for us northerners) and that always helps, but I do believe the eggs and pate have made a difference. You can find out more about dietary balance for seasonal affective disorder here.
Saturday 6 February 2010
More sun, spring coming?
Spring may be coming for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, but if you live in the Southern Hemisphere then it is late Summer, and the SAD time of year is coming for you - prepare yourself. I heard that some world maps in Australia have the Southern Hemisphere at the top.
Did you get a sunshine break yet? I may take a few days down near the Med to get some real sun (I wish!). I've amended my website www.sadaffectivedisorder.com/comments to include comments - I want to know what people would like me to do to improve or extend the site. Drop in and post a suggestion!
How about some Mediterranean food to cheer you up? Try www.ezcookery.com - specialising in Mediterranean recipes.
If you have visited www.sadaffectivedisorder.com then you will know that I believe in laughter as part of a holistic treatment package. So, here's something to raise a chuckle. Apologies if you are very religious....
A 54 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.
While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?"
God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."
Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair colour and brighten her teeth!
Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.
After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.
Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years? Why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?"
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God replied: "I didn't flippin' recognize you."
www.havenplace.co.uk
Did you get a sunshine break yet? I may take a few days down near the Med to get some real sun (I wish!). I've amended my website www.sadaffectivedisorder.com/comments to include comments - I want to know what people would like me to do to improve or extend the site. Drop in and post a suggestion!
How about some Mediterranean food to cheer you up? Try www.ezcookery.com - specialising in Mediterranean recipes.
If you have visited www.sadaffectivedisorder.com then you will know that I believe in laughter as part of a holistic treatment package. So, here's something to raise a chuckle. Apologies if you are very religious....
A 54 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.
While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?"
God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."
Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair colour and brighten her teeth!
Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.
After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.
Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years? Why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?"
|
| (you'll love this)
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
God replied: "I didn't flippin' recognize you."
www.havenplace.co.uk
Wednesday 20 January 2010
How is your winter going?
It hasn't been a great winter for me so far - I don't like snow and disruption. I had a really bad patch last week. We had a couple of days of sun this week so I got down to the river to enjoy some extra brightness. I've started taking extra St John's Wort and Fish Oil supplement for Vitamin D. I'm still managing to do a few sessions of floor exercises each week, and of course, some time with the daylight lamp. And, keeping busy with work to take my mind off my worries.
It all adds up!
I can just start to see the days lengthening - only 10 weeks or so until the clocks go forward - always a cheering time of year for me!
Right, I'm going to put some of my favourite happy Brazilian music on now! Watch it, enjoy the sun sand and music!
It all adds up!
I can just start to see the days lengthening - only 10 weeks or so until the clocks go forward - always a cheering time of year for me!
Right, I'm going to put some of my favourite happy Brazilian music on now! Watch it, enjoy the sun sand and music!
Saturday 2 January 2010
New Year, New Resolutions
I don't know if you set yourself resolutions in the New Year. I don't but at least I have started my exercise regime again. Not a lot - some stretches, yoga and light weights, but enough to raise my heart rate a bit and make me feel more energetic. Exercise helps the release of endorphins in the brain - a feel good chemical. That is why it is possible for some people to become addicted to exercise. No chance of that with me! If you want to know more about how exercise can help SAD sufferers then hop over to http://www.sadaffectivedisorder.com/Exercise-Therapy.html
Sunday 27 December 2009
Boxing Day Depression
I can see from the activity on the web that there were a lot of people searching for information on Boxing Day. It's a tough time of year for SAD sufferers, the depths of winter. I know, it's been a low time for me too.
Christmas is a major stress time for many people, which can accentuate the symptoms. And if you live alone or are spending Christmas apart from the ones you love that doesn't help either. If you live in the UK, then you may have heard Brian May (of Queen) speaking about depression on Radio 4 yesterday, plus an uplifting tale of someone who got hit by lightening and survived. The podcast is available at Saturday Live I think for another week until 2nd January. I found it helpful.
On the positive side, we are now past the winter solstice and the days are lengthening - got to be good news! Spring is on the way! :-)
I've got some tough personal problems to solve in 2010, but let's start by being positive- plan yourself a Happy New Year!
If you need some more help, then check out my site sadaffectivedisorder.com for some assistance.
I'm going to think about a sunny holiday I had in Brazil - that helps to cheer me up!
Christmas is a major stress time for many people, which can accentuate the symptoms. And if you live alone or are spending Christmas apart from the ones you love that doesn't help either. If you live in the UK, then you may have heard Brian May (of Queen) speaking about depression on Radio 4 yesterday, plus an uplifting tale of someone who got hit by lightening and survived. The podcast is available at Saturday Live I think for another week until 2nd January. I found it helpful.
On the positive side, we are now past the winter solstice and the days are lengthening - got to be good news! Spring is on the way! :-)
I've got some tough personal problems to solve in 2010, but let's start by being positive- plan yourself a Happy New Year!
If you need some more help, then check out my site sadaffectivedisorder.com for some assistance.
I'm going to think about a sunny holiday I had in Brazil - that helps to cheer me up!
Rio de Janeiro from Charitas
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