SAD; Seasonal Affective Disorder

After 17 years of spending the winter in Vermont, I have finally realized I have been fighting the disease of the north; SAD or seasonal affective disorder. It causes all kinds of havoc to the human system because of the lack of light, especially here in the mountains when the sun, if we see it, goes down at 4:30 in the afternoon..

I spoke to my brother inlaw this week who lives in NYC and he said “I hate this time of year!” I go to work in the dark and I come home in the dark..” That is probably why we have these light filled holidays in November and December, to get us through the darkest days of winter..

In northern Vermont, it is dark from November til March. I didn’t notice it as much when I was raising my children because we were always running, moving and seeing lots of people everyday; playing hockey, skiing or snowboarding and doing all kinds of activities to keep the adrenaline flowing and the serotonin levels high..

But those days are now gone, the children have moved away and life has slowed down..

We are not moving as fast or as much in our late 50’s and the darkness makes us go to bed earlier which makes us get up earlier which throws off all of our sleep patterns.. I noticed many family members on FaceBook  in the early hours of this morning; not sure if they haven’t gone to sleep or they are waking up early just like me. 

At least I know I am not alone with this.

Once you are aware of this condition and when it starts to get triggered; (the weather man alerted us this week would be particularly rough,) you can prepare for these times of sadness..

Exercise and working with your hands helps but being surrounded by fun and loving people is the real cure. Coffee, tea or chocolate or any kind of beef (B12) will also lift your serotonin levels. Sunshine or a room with a lot of lights, planned activities outdoors as well as indoors. music, a daily walk or ride on your stationary bicycle , plants, socializing and visiting with friends are all ways to make you feel better.

I went to the city for the weekend and just being around people and the lights and buzz of the city can help to chase the darkness away.. I’ve come to realize though as I get older, I need a lot more people and light in my life.