Depressed Over Daylight Savings Time. Does This Affect You?

[The Albatross]

I am affected by grey days... since I moved away from So Cal. And I don't particularly like "fall back", but don't seem to mind "spring forward". I try to beef up my exercise during the winter to get more endorphins, and I too add the extra vitamin D. I put my flannel sheets on the bed and a big heavy old quilt and try to enjoy it as best as I'm able. It used to be so bad I'd go to a tanning bed and just do 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a week. But my skin can't take that anymore. I think it's a touch of SAD, Seasonal Anxiety Disorder... so I also try to find short term activities to distract myself. This is the second year I've done a weight loss/health challenge. Mostly it's a diversion and keeps my mind elsewhere during the more stressful months on the calendar as well.

 

[piratelady]

Alb, you could try to get one of those daylight lamps like Gizmo was talking about. Every little bit helps :)

 

[Britt.f7]

My psychiatrist let me use his spectrum light, back before they started being sold in stores. It was huge and awkward. I think it helped some. I bought a smaller one last winter. I'm not sure if it helped or not, but it started to crackle. Of course that is also the time AD stopped working. They found out a couple years ago that my vitamin D was deficient. I take them daily. I hate too many grey days in a row. We have large picture windows, so that helps.

 

[Nighthawk]

I hate when the clocks fall back. It affects my mood, my sleep and my overall activity level. I tend to not get out of my already awkward sleeping habits. It makes me want to be in bed and asleep by 8pm or at lest hiding in my room. I fight the desire to sleep so early. I go up at 3:30 am this morning after a really bad nights sleep. So my lag has already begun.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Gizmo, I think you have it backwards. Daylight savings is now over, as we're on standard time now. Doing away with daylight savings time would mean an earlier sunset time year round.

 

[Nighthawk]

By the way, does anyone get nasty side-effects if they take a straight vit D tablet/capsule?

I take vitamin D in a liquid form. I take 10 drops a day. No side effects yet.

 

[Whitneys story]

But people often also have one in their home and it is supposed to help.

I started my brother on special light bulbs back in the 80's. The term is "SAD" which affects a lot of people who require more light. Sitting by the light enhances the blood chemistry in our system! One of those magical little tricks that is inexpensive! Hugs Whitney

 

[Whitneys story]

I despise winter! I love snow. I have learned it is the affect of the cold on my body! I can't win, to be warm I wear 3 layers of clothing. Which can be painful. By the time I have all the layers on I can't move and look like a stuffed scarecrow. Compound the laundry, ARRRRGH!

The time change itself is just another government lie! Someone tell me just where we save it to.

 

[NIKI]

I have one of those "happy lights". I haven't used it in months. Thanks for reminding me about it. I just turned it on and it is helping already.:happy:

 

[piratelady]

The time change itself is just another government lie!

Didn't they adjust it be a few weeks a few years ago so that we could "save energy"? Personally, I found daylight savings easier to adjust to when it wasn't so late into the season.

 

[Whitneys story]

Didn't they adjust it be a few weeks a few years ago

Yes they did! But where is the savings? I am in the US heading into winter. If it is dark when you get up at 6am, dark at 4pm; our power rates are surcharged for the winter months. Where is this "daylight" that we are saving? My power bill increases including (running air conditioning in the summer) by 84% in the winter.

We use more for heating and light. :mad: Is it just me?

 

[intothelight]

Switching the clocks back doesn't help as it just seems to make the light less. Overall, it is losing the amount of light that bothers me. It is hard to comprehend that in the summer, I can still be running around and doing things at 8:00 P.M., but in the winter I want to be in bed.

I find the lack of energy the most frustrating part of this.