I get SAD. I don’t FEEL sad, necessarily. But I sure feel Seasonal Affective Disorder when it rears its ugly head. I want to be around lots of people AND I want to be a hermit. I want to go to a party AND I want you to sit next to me and shut up. I want to go out to dinner AND I want to crawl in bed with my iPad and stay there till March. I’m not alone. According to the American Association of Family Physicians, about 4 to 6 percent of people have winter depression. Another 10 to 20 percent may have mild SAD. I have had it for years and I’ve found it’s a little worse here in West Virginia than it was in Colorado…mainly because Colorado has 300+ days of sunshine and West Virginia, ummmm, doesn’t. It gets grey and cloudy here and it can last for days…weeks at a time. Yesterday I had to get my therapy light out and sit in front of it for an hour and it really helped. I normally take St. John’s Wort daily since Mr. Virgo died. At this time of year, I make extra sure I don’t miss a dose.* I also increase my exercise.

Anyone who suffers from SAD, or any form of depression for that matter, understands that getting up and getting out is no easy task. We get “couch lock”. We don’t want to do anything but climb in bed and read or sleep. It takes everything in our power to get outside. It hits hard and fast and it isn’t going to improve any when Daylight Saving Time kicks in this weekend.
So, what to do? Get up. Get out the door. Go DO something. Cut down on sugar and heavy, carb-laden foods. Play upbeat music. Watch comedies. Call a friend. Call two friends. Call ALL your friends! Make plans with people. Go hike in the woods. Go to an exercise class. Push each other to go that extra half mile. Record your activity so you can see your progress. Reward yourself with bubble baths instead of Ben and Jerry’s. Pray. Sing. Dance. Write. Take pictures. Start a hobby. Volunteer. Do something. Do anything. Just get off the couch. You will feel better. Guaranteed!

❤️

“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…”

2 Corinthians 7:6 NIV

*This is not intended as medical advice. Ask your healthcare provider what, if anything, is right for you.