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.

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.

December is a magnifying glass

Yesterday as I was getting a treatment from my acupuncturist I talked to her about the very difficult December I had (worse than I ever remember), and a lot of other people I know.

She said that yes, December is the month that the sun is at its lowest peak, there is the stress and exhaustion of the extreme busyness that we get caught up in, there is the debt and money problems that is caused by the highly commercialized Christmas, and there is more irritability cause by all of the above. She also said that there are more suicides and murders in December. More people experience depression on this month of the year than with any of the other months.

I heard somewhere lately that Christmas is like looking at your life through a magnifying glass. Everything looms larger. If you are lonely.....you feel even lonelier. If you are sad....you feel even sadder. All our problems seem to be suddenly worse...with the effect they have on us.

So what then is the solution to our NEXT December. Do we want a repeat of what we just went through....or do we find a way to change it? For me....I say simplify, simplify, simplify!!!!. And find a way to expose our self to more light, whether by sitting under full spectrum lighting or sitting in the yard on days when Mr. Sun is out. I also just sit in my car on sunny days maybe when the air was a little chilly. I make sure the sun is shinning on me through the windows.

Blessed Mr. Sun

Thank goodness the sun is back out after our several days of rain storms. Lack of sunlight sure does a number on my depression. I am realizing this more and more as I age. I sure have taken the sun for granted all my life. I have never fully understood or appreciated the great and many health benefits the sun so freely offers, by the hand of God.

I must try harder to go outdoors each day and sit and soak up the healing rays of Mr. Sun, and also to remember to deep breathe so that I give my body cells more oxygen.

My Depression...and does anyone care, anyway

I am grateful for our much needed moisture...it has been constantly raining and cloudy for a couple of days...but for a person that has seasonal depression (SAD),lack of sunshine makes a very great difference in how they are feeling. Maybe today because it is such a down day for me, that I have these feelings. After all, when you are depressed, you are only feeling sorry for yourself....right?

But where are some of my so-called friends? I need a true friend….someone who cares about ME. Is it that when others are around people that have depression, that it is not a fun place to be…they would rather be with FUN people?

Where is the TRUE charity? Does it only lie with helping those who have just had surgeries, or are dying from cancer, or have just had a baby? Depression is an illness, too. And for me….just simply finding something that will take my mind off of the sad thoughts for awhile, IS GREAT THERAPY.

Aren’t we, who suffer from depression, just as much in need of help, compassion, and contact from others, as those listed above?

I feel that it would be extremely therapeutic just to receive a phone call often, from a friend, wondering how I am doing. Better yet, it would be great for someone to say to me… “how about getting out and going to the store with me”, or “how about going to a movie”, or “let’s go out for lunch”. NOW THOSE ARE THE TRUE FRIENDS. And God bless them!

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.

Rest and Heal Your Mind and Soul

When those times come when I have dark, overwhelmingly sad days or seasons...I find comfort, relaxation, and a sort of therapy by doing certain things and activities that will take my mind off of what is bothering me and take it to a different place for a short while....so that I can heal.

Some of those places are.....watching good movies, doing my personal writings, working on my websites, calling or visiting a good friend, siting quietly and meditating on sacred things, going outdoors for a nice leisurely walk, reading the scriptures, deep breathing exercises, sitting out in the yard to get sunlight and fresh air, laying on the couch or bed with my legs elevated and with a cool cloth over my eyes and listening to some soft music, and many more things.