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Winter Depression

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Health & Wellbeing
Who else gets it?

How do you explain to other people that you don't wanna go out?

Does anybody else hate socialising in the winter?

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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Not quite winter depression, but I'd definately say there was a slight change in my character ever since I started getting up in the dark and coming back from work in the dark. Even though I sleep better as I can doze back off due to no sun shining through the window, I still find this time of year very tiring.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hmmm slightly i guess, i'd still socialise but be alot less likely to get me out and about in the frezzing cold and darkness
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    That's why they invented christmas to have the lights up so we feel less depressed. Can't say it is all that effective on me though.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    No wait, that would mean they are looking out for our well being. That doesn't make sense
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Have you considered investing in a proper light lamp?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Have you seen SADA's website Namaste? They have a lot of info for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or winter blues - including how you can help ease the symptoms. As Katralla says, light therapy is supposed to be really effective - it basically provides you with a strong daily dose of the bright light that we miss out on in winter.

    Getting out into the sun/light when you can - perhaps over lunchtime if possible - should help a bit too.

    :)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Namaste wrote: »
    Who else gets it?

    How do you explain to other people that you don't wanna go out?

    Does anybody else hate socialising in the winter?

    I do... Get a daylight lamp. I probably will get one too this winter (since I am living alone for the first time). I used the one my friend owns some times and it's really good.

    I on the other hand mostly take up on friends offers to meet, even when outside.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I have a bright light it helps a ton, I felt the effects really quickly. It was very odd lying on my bed having the feeling of being out in the summer in sun mid-winter. I've never been too sure how it works though, does anyone understand the science of it?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Evenstar wrote: »
    I have a bright light it helps a ton, I felt the effects really quickly. It was very odd lying on my bed having the feeling of being out in the summer in sun mid-winter. I've never been too sure how it works though, does anyone understand the science of it?

    Daylight lamps have a bigger proportion of blue light, as opposed to normal light bulbs which have their emission maximum at yellow light. (pic#1: emissioncurve of a lightbulb, pic#2: emissioncurve of a daylight lamp).

    Blue light, having a shorter wavelength than yellow light has a higher energy (E = h*c/λ; E.. Energy, h... Planck constant, c... speed of light, λ... wavelenght). This energy is needed to stop the synthesis of melatonin in your body (it is associated with depression) according to some sources. According to others it stimulates serotonin synthesis (a happiness hormone). Melatonin is synthesized from Serotonin in your body, so it kinda makes sense that the depriving of happiness hormones is a damper for your mood.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    think i might invest in one of these lamps :)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Can you buy them from most places?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    G-Raffe wrote: »
    Can you buy them from most places?

    yeah actually where can you get them from???:confused:
    x
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    amazon
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    One of the places you can buy them from is here - Lumie. They are based in an organisation called Outside In in Cambridge.

    I did some research and these are one of the suppliers recommended by Mind.

    It's worth having a read around before investing in one - as there are a lot of light boxes for sale out there which are not medically recommended - and therefore don't do any more good than a normal lightbulb!

    We don't have a sunshine smiley. This one will have to do - :cool:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I often change a bit in winter and January/February are usually the toughest months for me.

    For me it was very helpful when I started using every opportunity I had during the few hours of daylight to go out. I went for walks, rode my horse and later went biking. It helped a lot.

    Now I can't exercise much and have felt a little more gloomy than usual but I try to go out with my dog during daylight hours. It means a lot to me. Of course the good part for me is that now I'm expecting a kid in January so I'm not exactly worrying about the darkest months this year for a change, hehe.

    I also think it's normal to get a little more cozy in wintertime. A little lazier and I enjoy sleeping in. Of course it's a lot easier since where I live it's dark until noon for a part of the year.
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