Thursday, February 11, 2010

Are You S.A.D.?

Apparently there is some kind of depression you can get in the winter called "S.A.D.", Seasonal Affective Disorder. I was watching the news this morning thinking "I have that". I'm not so sure how bad, but the symptoms vary, and you don't have to have all of them to have it. The symptoms of Winter SAD are as follows:

A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
Weight gain
A drop in energy level
Fatigue
A tendency to oversleep
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability and anxiety
Increased sensitivity to social rejection
Avoidance of social situations and a loss of interest in the activities you used to enjoy


I have quite a few of these (not all), but I guess it comes back every year, and goes away around the same time...let me guess....SPRING?? Or, when the sun comes out. I guess it is the Melatonin you get from the sun that fixes this problem. See this picture below? Does it look familiar? I feel like this winter in Boise has been EXTRA gloomy. Dead grass, Dead trees....brown, muddy, cold, cloudy...and NO sun. I'm pretty sure I have S.A.D. I really need a "pick me up". C'Mon Spring! I'm ready.

7 comments:

  1. That's really a disorder?? I thought that was all normal for everyone! Especially the food...our bodies (or minds) are equipped to pack on weight in the winter and shed in the summer...that's why light fresh foods sound so good in the summer, and prepared foods and hearty soups and foods sound so appetizing in the winter.

    but very interesting!! I think we'll all feel better when spring comes!

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  2. Anna, I think I have a mild case of this too. Winter is not a good time for me. Especially after Christmas, sometimes days drag on and I just feel blah! I love the long, sunny days of summer! For now I just turn on all the lights in the house on gloomy days, and put in a 'springy' smell. Sometimes I just pick up and go to Wal-mart or somewhere without needing much of anything to get the heck out of my house. Thank goodness spring is almost here!

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  3. I have struggled with this for as long as I remember. Try to get a bit more sun! Even if it's laying in the house on the floor next to the window! It may really help!

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  4. I can totally relate to this. I HATE winters, and how long they feel. I am so ready for some nice weather, and some nice sunshine. My kitchen gets lots of sun, when it decides to shine, and I find myself just sitting in the kitchen soaking up the warm sun.

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  5. I described it as feeling like Charlie Brown. ha ha. And I might add that I don't think I have EVER felt more ready from spring. I've thought about buying a blow dryer and taking it to the snow just to make me feel better :) DIE snow DIE!

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  6. I think that disorder could also be associated with the 1st tri in pregnancy! But yes, I believe its a real thing! The only reason I have opted to live so far from home is because its the Valley of the Sun!! S.A.D. doesn't exist here! The sun should be coming out soon in Boise, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though :)

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  7. That does look dreary. Yes - let's pray for spring!

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