Like quite a few others (you, maybe?) I
suffer from SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder—when winter starts to come in. Sometimes
it sneaks up on me and it’s not until I’m fully in the Winter Blues that I
notice it has happened. Here are a few things you can do if you have the same
issue:
- Get a light box. These are special bright lights you put by the side of your desk and keep on for an hour a day or so in the mornings. You can Google "SAD lights" to find a supplier.
- Exercise. Regular aerobic exercise helps ward off depression. I do at least 3 days a week, and up to six. I listen to podcasts on my iPod while using the treadmill or cross-trainer.
- Consider supplements. I use St. John’s Wort, vitamin D, and 5HTP, all available at health food stores (disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, check with yours before making changes to your diet and supplementation, etc.).
- Plan a trip. Before winter really set in, I had a nice break in
a sunny climate and am looking forward to another one in April. If you have
a trip to a warm, sunny place to look forward to, that alone can lighten
your mood.
If you’ve found anything additional helpful, please add a comment or let me know at J4London(at)aol.com.
(There are more tips about how to be more creative and productive in my free monthly Brainstorm e-bulletin--to subscribe just send an email request now to [email protected].)
