January and February are probably the worst months of the year for seasonal affective disorder sufferers. There are many things to do fight winter depression during theses dark days.
- Get more light in a safe way. You can:
• Use your light box regularly
• Keep our curtains open in the bedroom
• Get outdoors whenever the sun is out
• Take a drive in your car when the sun is out
• Brighten up your home
• Spend time in the brightest room in your house
- Minimize your stress:
• Don’t undertake unnecessary duties or chores
• Delay what can be delayed
• Don’t allow guilt to prevent you from saying no
- Explain to others what is going on and tell them what they can do to make your life easier
- Exercise as much as you can
- If you are not on medications and are still laboring under the burden of winter, discuss with your doctor the possibility of starting them
- If you are on medications and they do not seem to be helping, talk to your doctor about other possibilities
- Keep a journal
- Find out what brings you enjoyment and do more of it
- Find out what brings you discontentment and do less of it
- Accept the down time
- Accept that winter may never feel as good as the other seasons
- Busy some forced bulbs and watch them grow and bloom in the dark months.
- Wait for spring, because sooner or later it will come