today's topic - seasonal blues :(
it's one of the reason's i had to move away from NY. I lived in upstate NY (far from the city...no where near the city....practically different time zone from the city). Upstate NY gets horrible winter weather - gray overcast skies all the time, snow that looks so pretty when it is fresh and fluffy but oh so quickly turns to brown and gray slush. It's not to long before the ground and the sky are the same color and you feel like you are walking around in a monochromatic world - gray here, gray there, gray everywhere. and cold! you can't go anywhere without your pant legs getting soaked from the slush and your shoes getting wrecked from the salt (for those in warm climates that have never experienced ice - rock salt makes it less slippery).
Anyway, as you can imagine, this is the perfect environment for seasonal depression, which I would get every year without fail. Even now, living in LA, I still am down through the winter. My brain still thinks that when it rains it is going to keep raining forever. SO how do i get around this? I have to force myself to shift focus. In NY it was very difficult because of how the climate was outside - just to go outside required 3 additional layers of clothing. It was very easy to become a recluse in NY, because who the hell would opt to go out in a blizzard?! In LA, it's a little easier. I've learned to go with the flow of the downs and enjoy the ups. I keep myself busy with working on my computer - this week I have been occupied with writing the first edition of the newsletter for Matador Performance, updating my webpage, research, and admittedly simply playing in photoshop (my newest app toy haha). Training is another method of combating blues - it gets you out in the world and helps keep you in touch with friends that are also working towards being healthier and stronger.
I've heard that people use full spectrum light boxes to help with seasonal depression - I don't get this though, I have never tried a full spectrum light other than expensive light bulbs but for me it just isn't the same as warm sunshine on your face and a light breeze. But you can't control the weather so you have to focus on what you can control, your hobbies, what you do with your spare time, and your thoughts. Remind yourself when you wake up or when you go to bed what you can be thankful for, even if it is something as simple as " I'm thankful for this down comforter and fluffy pillow top mattress and down pillow that makes my bed feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud covered in 500 thread count wonderfully soft sheets" (can you tell I like my bed haha - when you have insomnia you learn to cherish sleep ;)
Seasonal depression can also be compounded during the holiday season - the stress, anxiety, the rush of it all - it's enough to drive you nuts! It can be hard too when you are far away from home and your family and every other commercial or song on the radio is singing about home or showing some family so happy together and you just look over at your beautiful tree and think "yup - real pretty"
love you cousin! missing you and wishing you were here (so you could help with the christmas cutouts!)
ReplyDeleteluv u too cuz!
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