Yep, the clocks are going back this week Sunday in England to retain some daylight and winter is on its way and here to stay, well, for a good few months anyway!
- Are you fully equipped?
- Are you prepared?
- Have you heard of SAD and do you know what it is?
- Do you / Could you be suffering from SAD?
Well, let me fill you in…
A type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.
Let me tell ya!….
I am definitely a summer baby and my mood is certainly perkier in the summer months. I’m more of a go getter and confident and wanting to be outdoors when the sun is out and it’s warm.
BUT, when the weather is gloomy, raining (particularly that annoying rain, where it’s not really raining but it’s raining as though Someone is consistently spitting in your face), windy and cold I can tell you for free that I’d rather be at home all cosy, hibernating and staying warm. I have no interest in being outside in the winter months unless I REALLY have to.
How do you know if you suffer from SAD and what are the symptoms?
Well… here are the symptoms:-
Symptoms of SAD
Symptoms of SAD can include:
- a persistent low mood
- a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
- irritability
- feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
- feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
- sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
- craving carbohydrates and gaining weight (this is so me…)
I’ve done my research and these are the top…
6 Ways You Can Punch Up SAD!
- Get up and Go Out! – Yep unfortunately that’s the highest recommendation I can give you. Don’t think about how cold it is just get up and get out- I’m afraid you’ll have to brace it and face it.
- Eat up Love! – Get those Complex carbohydrates in you, they can really help maintain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as peas, beans, whole grains, and vegetables. These are very simple and complex carbohydrates which are turned to glucose (blood sugar) in the body and then this in turn ignites your body with energy.
- Try some Light therapy – Is a special lamp called a light box which is used to imitate the appearance and exposure of sunlight. Or even better go out for 10 mins and absorb some natural sunlight and get some vitamin D.
- Get some exercise on – Netflix and Chill will have to chill I’m afraid. You need to head to the gym or run around and get your sweat on. Once your endorphins have increased from your exercise then you will begin to feel more cheerful and your mood will gradually bounce back. You can’t go for one day and pack it in though, make sure you keep it up, it doesn’t have to be an extensive workout at all- little and often will do just the trick! According to a study, physical exercise works like some anti- depressants to alter brain chemistry.
- Talk it Out! Invite some friends around, arrange an outing or just pickup the phone and have a conversation – Just get talking! When you’re not feeling spontaneous, you’re cold and just want to stay in and be cosy you must be around outgoing people they can subconsciously pick up your mood or even encourage you to go out.
- Stay warm – OK OK, you won here! You have to stay cosy and warm whilst you do all of the above. Feeling cold if you don’t like it, can actually make you feel more depressed and uncomfortable and totally grumpy. So wrap up like a burrito if you’re going out and if you’re indoors crank up the heating to you comfortable sauna setting and most importantly stay HAPPY.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found some useful tips. If you have any useful ideas that you think can help someone too please share in the comments below.
It would also be interesting to know how many other people suffer from SAD.
Love Mummanopoly 💋
Let me leave you with a quote of the day….
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Mummanopoly 
Living in Maine was hard for me since it was dark when I got up and dark when I came home from work at 4 p.m.
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Oh wow how did you cope and deal with it. Did it have any impact on your mood?
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Yes, I was depressed a lot. I had to make sure that I sat in light as much as possible. And I talked to others who were undergoing the same struggles.
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Thank you for this post. I definitely suffer from SAD and have to say I agree 1000% with your 6 ways to punch SAD — I would add the sentiment by Joseph Campbell is helpful too — finding joy where you can, even in the darkness goes a long way.
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I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. You can check it out on my latest post at vicklea.com
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Awwwwww wow thank you so so much 🤗🤗🤗
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Thanks for following my blog dear😍😍😍
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Pleasure, it’s great!
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♥️
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Great post,enjoyed reading
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Thank you so much! Glad your enjoyed the read!
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I am not a fan of the cold , never have been , but your suggestions are good for getting through those cold months. Thanks!
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Thank you for dropping by, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post and found it useful.
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My boyfriend gets SAD so I appreciate this post. I found you on IG today and also pinned your procrastination post 🙂
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Hey Christy! Awwwww so Sorry to hear that, I hope your boyfriend can find ways to help him overcomes those really SAD Days, Thank you darling for pinning my post! I’m so glad you found this post useful. 💋
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Arggggg! My daughter and I both have it and BLAH! The darkness gets us down. When night starts at 3 in the afternoon, it’s just too much. This post is excellent, even if I can’t always drag myself outside. Thank you. Some people who don’t have it…don’t get it at all.
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Wow night begins at 3pm??!! Where do you live?
That would most certainly have an impact on my mood.
How do you deal with it?
Thank you for popping by, I’m glad you enjoyed my post and found it useful! 💙💙💙
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We live in Chicago and when winter hits and the time changes, it’s dark in the afternoon. It’s not easy living here. It’s gray all day long and then just gets darker, during the winter months. It’s terrible and people actually leave the state because our weather is so horrible. Coping is barely possible. People shut down, get crabby, can barely move. Like hibernation and depression all rolled into one. We dread what’s coming, believe me.
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Oh not this sounds terrible. The state should put things in place to make it easier for civilians. Sorry to hear this, it sounds like my worst nightmare! You’re strong! Try and find some time to travel too during g these months if you are able to.
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Terrific advice. I’ve been living with this all my life and have only recently found out why I always feel better after exercise (endorphins). Exercise is number one, I feel but if I could just add, kindness to yourself every day, acknowledging your difficulties and the effort your putting in to deal with them. Kindness and exercise and a really, really warm coat. Cheers.
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Ooooo great advise! I will keep these in mind. Thank you for sharing and stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the advice!
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My summer twin, I get you! I suffer with every symptom in this list, SAD is definitely no joke and can be crippling. Great post! X
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