Hi all,
Since every winter I translate the dark and cold into psychic dark and cold, I've developed a self-treatment involving a full-spectrum SAD (seasonal affective disorder) light. Not just the full-spectrum lightbulbs, though those are very nice in winter...but the actual therapeutic lightbox. I got one off the net on sale during the summer for about $240.
The routine made a big difference, and one thing that surprised me in my research (and which I forgot to do)--is that they advise BEGINNING TO USE THE BOX IN AUGUST. Even though it's still light and bright outside, at some glandular level, your brain is noticing the change in the quantity and angle of sunlight.
I'm still on an AD, the new one that I've been on for a few months, but beginning tomorrow morning I'm going to add my lightbox routine. For the last two winters, when I was NOT on ADs, it was remarkably effective. My non-Rx antidepression routine was:
Every mornning, 30-45 minutes sitting at my computer with the light box beside the monitor.
Drinking two cups of strong tea.
Lots of walking
It really was effective. I'm going to stay on the AD also this winter, because it's been such a help with my back, but if I can get some muscular strength so my back is better anyway, I will eventually try to go off them again.
Just wanted to share this, because the combo of the lightbox, tea drinking, and lots of walking was as effective for me as the first time I ever took ADs (SSRIs).
Hope it helps someone. Anybody else have some good ideas about getting ready for the dark and cold? They really can trigger depression and more tips would be great to learn about.
(My other one is I re-read The Secret Garden in February...always helps! And brings joy.)
Hops