So fall and winter are normally a difficult time for me anyhow with seasonal depression. I usually combat it with spending time with friends & family or going to a venue or just going out to eat to get out of the house. This year will be a little different and I suspect more difficult. I was reading an article saying we should have things planned to do so we do not fall into depression. What are some of your plans to stay healthy and sane?
Don't get me wrong, because I often appreciate your posts throughout.
Maybe you are correct on a 'technicality', but I found this concerning
Seasonal Affective Disorder:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder* is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. In the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this disorder is identified as a type of depression – Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern.
So, SAD is a name of a disorder.
SAD is in the DSM 5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders the physicians use.
I have always been a bit reclusive by nature, so my life isn't a whole lot altered. Yes, I cannot get out to do my treasure seeking at junk shops and etc, but I can still walk, garden, sew kimonos, read, do hobbies, enjoy Social Media (I LOVE Facebook, unlike a few others, and do art, crafts, have friends and etc on it). I think in my 78 years I have not really known much boredom at all, but I have come close a few times here.
Got a small freezer so I always have fixins for a huge pot of chili or spaghetti and meatballs. Of course living in San Francisco it isn't like I get snowed in, but when I had places where I DID get snowed in it was a lovely fire with the animals cuddled around, and that good book.
I finally got a Kindle, because at my age the eyes have one thing and another going, and I read a bit too much. I hope never to run out of mysteries. I may even try writing one-- just for fun. I already have the musty old inherited Russian River property in mind for the setting.
These are trying times in more ways than one; I think a lot has to do with the good luck of overall good health (knock wood) and as I said, overall clement weather with a lot of interests. You do miss the joy of the seasonal changes, however, trying that they may be.
I have a partner and we are somewhat ships passing as we move on to our own activities and then meeting to argue out the days events somewhere between. Him off to archery and me off to walk. Him down to the workshop and me to the sewing machine. Him to the computer, me to the stove. Me to the computer and him to CNN.
I hear there are now even University courses online. I could do with a good course in Art and Humanities from Oxford. Will have to save this for the future.
Teacher: “Trey, can you tell me a name of 1 of the 4 seasons?”
Trey: gives teacher a hard look, remains silent
Teacher in big upbeat voice: “Theres 4 seasons, they all have names, which is your favorite, Trey?”
Trey, another hard look and says firmly: “there’s 5 seasons”
Teacher again in big upbeat voice: “Right now we’re in 1 season, do you know which one we’re in?” (gestures to room decor)
Trey leans back on his sit-upon, looks directly at her and says in big voice: “Teal & there's 5 seasons, teal, deer, quail, duck and geese.”
She flat lost it in laughter. Class dissolved into chaos.
& for those who don’t hunt, Trey was right, Teal season is early September. On retrospect his Cabelas little kid size camo backpack should have been a clue.
I've done the same thing with keeping those calendars and look through them to see what we've done - both good things and sad things.
I'm so sorry about you losing your husband of 72 (75) years and that today is the one year anniversary of his passing away. I hope you will do something nice for yourself in memory of him.
I just turned 58 last week but, my parent's were depression/WWII era. My mom is going to be 96 on Valentine's Day and if my dad were still alive, he'd be 98.
God bless you my dear lady and a pre-happy 92nd birthday to you! :)
Thanks for my first laugh of the morning - "my favorite leaf color is GREEN" - LOL!
The brief diary is a good idea - I used to do some journaling years ago, (probably more like decades) until my caregiving days began to take over.
It's especially great as both memories as well as our own ability to remember starts to fade. When we'd go on vacations and enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant, I would always write down what we ordered/ate - my husband would make fun of it. Now, especially since we aren't traveling or dining out, he appreciates it!
One thing that helps make any time of year less endless is keeping a brief diary. I make a note of where I went each day. Sometimes being able to refer back to this proves directly useful, other times I can "reminisce", and through it all I can see evidence that I DID get to do some interesting things during this time, even winter.
Both my husband and I feel the same way when you said with the pandemic, there's nothing to look forward to - I've always been a firm believer that in order to avoid depression other than exercising, it's to have something to look forward to and sometimes the planning of it is just as much fun as the actual event!
It's pretty sad when we look forward to going to the dentist. I hadn't been to any doctors or the dentist this year as I wanted to keep myself safe but after the dental office called me a couple times, I finally succumbed. Now, I've made appointments with all my doctors so I guess I now have lots to look forward too!
Sounds lovely. I have been to the Smokies in the fall.
I love to cook especially soups. Learn one craft , utube is great for easy directions on crocheting. Last but not least purge a little each day in your home. Most of us have piles of something that can use organizing and cleaning.
Second try looking at YouTube, more fun on your TV if you have access, mine is through Amazon’s Firestick. There is so much to learn, entertain you, etc.
i paid $20 for an annual subscription to Curiosity TV, so much there, it takes you away for armchair travel.
Read books that are motivational or religious, both can motivate and comfort.
Learn how to do something new, craft or language.
Set up a bird feeder that you can easily refill.
Find a nursing home or assisted living facility where you can send cards, one’s you’ve bought or made. So many lonely people.
Enter the world of genealogy, especially gather stories from your loved one and put them in a new journal, plenty available on Amazon or ebay.
I think the two most important things for me are: 1. Step outside every day, even if only long enough to just take a breath of fresh air. 2. Set goals so one day doesn’t simply drift into the next.
May we all emerge better people with the arrival of spring.
My daughter loves Instagram!
If it was able to stay as originally intended, great for others. Keep in touch with family and friends. Share pix, recipes, family news, etc. Now it's just a huge waste of time and the worst for spreading lies, conspiracies, hate, etc. Yes, other ways to spread all that but it seems like FB is the worst.
In addition to seeing no need for this 'tool' I watched a co-worker skimming through her feeds when she was supposed to be observing software test for QA. No interest in work at all!
Nope. No interest in any of those 'social media' tools... Guess that makes me anti-social!!!