Winter is coming

Oh, Oh....and that means less sunlight hours which equals the ole seasonal depression, too. I just need to make sure that I get LOTS of sunlight and fresh air. It works wonders. And for indoors I have several of those white light lamps (full spectrum lighting) to give me more natural light in my rooms.

Soak up the sun and fresh air

Now as the weather begins slowly to get warmer, take advantage of this and get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and Mr. Sun’s warmth. It is extremely good therapy.

Get outside!

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get lots of fresh air and sunshine, along with exercise. There is something magic in it all.

Now as our weather is getting cooler, I just love to sit out on our back deck and spend a few hours just reading, in the refreshing air. I have noticed that it really makes a difference in how I feel...and that appears to be...happier.

OF COURSE I will feel better if I get my proper sleep regularly!!!

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z


With my computer addiction, I have had trouble getting myself to bed at night when I should. There for quite awhile, it would be 3, 4 or even 5am before I would finally shut the computer down and head for bed.

Reading up on circadian rhythm... http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/922567322.html .... in regards to our sleep/wake patterns....it is important that I not allow my body to get more artificial light and activity beyond a certain time at night, than my body is programmed for. If I do, I throw my body out of whack. (anyway that is the gist of it according to my understanding).

The older I am getting and the more I abuse my sleep patterns, the worse I was beginning to feel. I would try to go to bed earlier but it never lasted more than 2 or 3 nights and then I would be back into my old habit of staying up until 5am again.

I knew I was headed for big serious health problems if I didn’t do something to change that habit for good. Now I am striving to go to bed at a decent time and it has taken me about 2 or 3 weeks for my sleep patterns to regulate them self again. I can’t believe how much better I feel and how much more energy I have again. I don’t feel groggy all day and my brain is not in a fog. The more night hours (natural darkness) I sleep, the better I feel.

Bad sleep habits certainly do not help depression one bit. Better, longer sleep and plenty of sunshine and fresh air can work a miracle for our down days.

Sunshine, fresh air, and doing what we love to do

Sun therapy...being outdoors soaking up Mr. Sun and Vitamin D...both of which are important in the defense against depression.

I feel that there is something refreshing and magical with being out in the sun and breathing in the fresh air....especially if there is a little soft breeze and the scenery is lovely. I love to take slow, deep breaths and enjoy the moment. And now that spring is about here, I can truly say that I have “spring fever”, because I can’t get enough of the outdoors. Seems that the more I can just relax out in the sun and fresh air....the less severe my depression bouts seem.

Another thing that helps me, is doing the things that gives me the most enjoyment. One of those things is my writings. I write about my feelings and thoughts on a multitude of various topics of life and things. Doing the things we love to do....and doing them with all our heart and to the best of our ability, is what brings us joy and lifts us out of our down periods. And if the things we love to do can also help other people, then how wonderful is that.

New determinations

Call it resolutions or whatever....but the last two weeks I have really felt like trying harder to exercise more and eat better. I have felt renewed and revitalized since January began. I guess that because December was such a very low time for me that this new year has sparked a desire to pull myself up out of the dark miserable feelings that I was experiencing and do the healthier things that I know will make a difference, such as walking every morning in the fresh air and sunshine. And while I walk I try to do the deep breathing exercises. Our weather has been very nice...in the 50-60 degrees, so that makes it nice for wanting to be outdoors.

What a beautiful day!

Here in St. George, Utah, we have the most gorgeous fall and winter weather. At 3:30 this afternoon the temperature was 72 degrees! The air was fresh and clean smelling with a slight hint of a breeze. The sun was a welcomed warmth against my skin. It was the kind of afternoon where you delighted in sitting out in the midst of this pleasure, and deep breathing of its magic. Oh what great therapy for the stressed and depressed soul!

Different Types of Depression and Disorders

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Bi-Polar

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

.......and more


There are so many different types of depression and other mind disorders that have been diagnosed and treated. I have family members and friends that have gone to specialists about their depression and have been told that they have a certain type. Most of them are on medications for it.

I have never gone to a doctor about it...I do not take medications, nor do I want to. I have always seemed to find a way to deal with it myself. I have used prayer, concentrated effort, herbal formulas, and my self-discovered relaxation therapies that I share in this blog.

My form of depression appears to be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Though depression can hit me at any time of the year, it mostly occurs at the beginning of Fall and ends in Spring. During this time of year my exposure to sunlight is diminished, causing my biological clock to run slower. Our biological clock regulates our mood, sleep, and hormones. The biggest cause of SAD is lack of sunlight.

I understand the common signs of this and other forms of depression to be somewhat similar: Sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, inability to concentrate. Other symptoms might include extreme fatigue and lack of energy, increased need for sleep, craving carbs, and increased appetite and weight gain.

Most people have many windows in their house and so they receive some light from the outdoors. The studio size place where I live does not have windows and so I need a better source of light other than regular ceiling lighting and table lamps.

I have remedied the lack of natural light in several ways. I have purchased several full-spectrum lights. These lights are what they call white light....they mimic closely the light that comes from the sun. Some of these lights are table lamps, and some are floor lamps. I have several of them distributed around my living area, and I use these special lights along with my regular lighting.

Another way which is important in gaining extra natural light is to go outdoors and spend some time out in the sun and fresh air. Take in good deep breaths of fresh air through the nose and let it out slowly through the mouth. This clears the system and brings in fresh oxygen. The longer spent outdoors, the better.

Exercise is also important to help tone down and ease depression and stress. It clears the mind and also brings in more oxygen to the body. Going for a good walk outdoors can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.