Let me start off by saying I hate Winter, can’t abide the cold & constantly long for sun/warmth..

Hate is a strong word I know but the cold really does affect me negatively….. have been self diagnosing via the web (as you do) and serioulsy think I may have SAD syndrome..

As soon as the cold weather comes I become moody, irratable, confused, sleep endlessly, can’t wake up in the mornings, lack energy all day, get sick constantly and basically become a recluse.

Am thinking of investing in a bodyclock starter http://www.lumie.com/shop/products/bodyclock-starter-30

Does anyone else suffer anything similar or am I being an overeacting hypochondriac….. answers on a postcard - of somewhere sunny lol

One of my friends gets this and she has one of these light box things that she sits in front of for an amount of time (don’t know how long) in the winter times.

We’ve got one of those alarm clocks.  They are well worth getting.   But yes, I agree, a light box is the way to go if you feel really rough with it.

That sounds exactly like me.

I’m not too bad this year (probably cos I went away again in october), normally I’m also physically ill.

I just keeping thinking about nice warm sun…a beach…sea (and the damage it does to my hair!). Now I’m not making myself feel any better!

I’ve been reading a lot about vitamin D and sunshine lately.  There are many that believe most people in Europe are chronically deficient.  This can affect mood etc, as well as a deficiency of natural light.

Yes! I hate the winter! Yes, hate!! I would say I get a mild form of SAD - some are severely effected by the lack of daylight/sunshine. I am most definitely a summer person all the way. I should relocate to warmer climes.  My hair and skin would certainly agree! 

Thanks everyone for your replies - nice to know its not all in my head! tho not nice that some of you are also struggling with the winter.

I’m defo gonna get the alarm clock before the light box and see how I get on with that first as I haven’t actually been diagnosed by a doctor.

Pelicano - I agree re: the vitamins, I’ve just begun taking berocca and I’ve been taking vitamin C for a while as per advice at the blood bank due to not being able to donate cos of low iron. Will look into the vitamin D - do you know if I can take it alongside the vit C and berocca?

CT - I agree with being a summer person, seems an act of cruelty really that we weren’t born somewhere tropical.

CloClo - I haven’t been away to warmer climates this yr but I’m glad its done you some good

Yes, you can definitely take the vitamin D alongside the other vitamins - no problems there.

With the alarm clock, it definitely makes you ‘come to’ in the mornings easier than when you wake up in darkness.  It’s not a miracle, but is a good start anyway!

I dislike getting up and going to work in the dark - then coming home on the dark too.  I get exceptionally crabby between late November and late February.

Once solution that seems to work for a lot of people is taking 5-HTP, which is a bit like a natural anti-depressant. That probably sounds scary, but it isn’t, and you can buy it over the counter in H&B or similar (the Lamberts brand is best). It’s not addictive.

janeyliz - 09 December 2009 05:11 PM

Once solution that seems to work for a lot of people is taking 5-HTP, which is a bit like a natural anti-depressant. That probably sounds scary, but it isn’t, and you can buy it over the counter in H&B or similar (the Lamberts brand is best). It’s not addictive.

I’ve heard about this too…I did my chemistry coursework on something like ‘food improving mood’ and included a bit on this. From what I remember there was quite a bit of evidence that this can help people.

Yup, need more seratonin!

Hi culybird, you sound very much like me.  i Don’t mind the cold, but the lack of sunlight is awful!  I get winter blues very severaly, not been properly diagnosed eithery but I’m failr sure its SAD.  I got a dawn alarm clock a few weeks ago and it really does help.  Saving up for a propoerl ight box as well.  You can ones in the £80 to £140 pound range but I want to get one recommmended by the SAD website just to make sure I;m geting the right thing.  THebest treatment is suposed to be using a dawn alrm clock then having a 20-30 minute treatment (depending on the box and the severity of your condition) with the light box while you’re having your breakfast.  I think in the US you can get ones that you install in your shower as well, which would be ideal for me!

I also take vitamin D in my supplements, although its hard to tell how much these help as I take these all year round.  And berocca is also a good idea.  Other suggestions include eating spicy food and taking as many daylight walks as you can.  For example going for a stroll on your lunch break rather than sitting under artificial lights.  And excercise of course, which is the last thing I feel like doing in the winter.

I used to go skiiing in january every year, and although its very cold the bright sunlight really helps. 

And pasta is supposed to be a great natural anti-depressant, alhtough in general you should be trying to stay away from the classic winter stodge food.  I’m a bit reluctant to take any pllls that might be mood altering witout the advice of a doctor, natural or otherwise.  I’ve been diagnosed with depression (not season related) in the past and have been advised in general to stay away from things like that.

And the other thing I really hate about winter is the sallow colour of my skin!  I have olive skin, so I go yellow in the winter.  I look like an extra from the simpsons.

Increasing the amount of folic acid in your diet can help beat the blues - it’s not just people wanting to get pregnant who need it. Eat more broccoli!

Tallgirl, I empathise with the sallow skin - Chinese genetics means I’m a delicate shade of yellow once my tan goes.

janeyliz - 10 December 2009 09:49 AM

Increasing the amount of folic acid in your diet can help beat the blues - it’s not just people wanting to get pregnant who need it. Eat more broccoli!

Tallgirl, I empathise with the sallow skin - Chinese genetics means I’m a delicate shade of yellow once my tan goes.

I love broccoli!  I have it pretty much every day, maybe I crave the folic acid?

The yellow tinge is such a pain for me I haven’t found a winter foundation that works on my skin tone.  No matter what I use it always looks really fake!  Do you have any tips, janeyliz?

I donlt know where my genetics come from, no one else in the family has olive tones or curly hair. I think I need a heart to heart with my mother! 

I’ve got one of those alarm clocks (have had for a couple of years now) and think they are brilliant.  I hate to be woken suddenly by an alarm, much better with a ‘rising sun’.  I’d love a lamp too, but they do cost a lot and i just can’t afford it.
Its on my ‘to do’ list.

I also hate to loose my tan.    Winter sucks.

I wouldn’t go too heavy on the broccoli.  I’ve read that too much can affect the thyroid (especially if it is lightly cooked).