S.A.D. Its started
Discussion
I've got a 'fake sunrise' light. I originally bought a Lumi some three years ago, but they couldn't supply one which would not stop working after a week... So, I bought a different brand (name escapes me), where you plug any dimmable lamp into it. Its set for 6.15am, so the lamp slowly brightens from then until full brightness at 6.30. Works a treat - so much nicer than waking to a blaring alarm or instant lights.
I try to get out as much as possible as I have heard a lot about vitamin D - would be interesting to hear others experiences with it.
I try to get out as much as possible as I have heard a lot about vitamin D - would be interesting to hear others experiences with it.
Not a good start to the week.
Woke up naturally about 6:30 and should have got up, thought I'd get another hour which basically ruined me, felt shattered all morning. Why do I repeat this mistake so often, wake up early feeling fine, FFS go and seize the day, I'm actually angry at myself, again!
Had my Vitamin D, my multivitamin, a capsule with iron/cod liver etc and about to have a berocca, no doubt I'll be fine this afternoon but this morning has been a write off. Thank god for coffee.
I did try smashing out some sit ups and press ups once up which helped a bit and I'm looking forward to getting down to the gym later.
Maybe one of these lights needs ordering sooner rather than later based on above comments. Hope your Monday morning was better than mine
Woke up naturally about 6:30 and should have got up, thought I'd get another hour which basically ruined me, felt shattered all morning. Why do I repeat this mistake so often, wake up early feeling fine, FFS go and seize the day, I'm actually angry at myself, again!
Had my Vitamin D, my multivitamin, a capsule with iron/cod liver etc and about to have a berocca, no doubt I'll be fine this afternoon but this morning has been a write off. Thank god for coffee.
I did try smashing out some sit ups and press ups once up which helped a bit and I'm looking forward to getting down to the gym later.
Maybe one of these lights needs ordering sooner rather than later based on above comments. Hope your Monday morning was better than mine
jonamv8 said:
A question while I think. Sunrise is currently about 6:50 I think, if I don't have to be up until 7:30/45 and I sleep with curtains open is there any point? I'm guessing yes as the light gained from the lamp will be far superior but wanted to check before I spend £60
Just remember that sunrise gets later & later until 21st December. I don't regret buying this device....I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where the day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
jonamv8 said:
Not a good start to the week.
Woke up naturally about 6:30 and should have got up, thought I'd get another hour which basically ruined me, felt shattered all morning. Why do I repeat this mistake so often, wake up early feeling fine, FFS go and seize the day, I'm actually angry at myself, again!
Had my Vitamin D, my multivitamin, a capsule with iron/cod liver etc and about to have a berocca, no doubt I'll be fine this afternoon but this morning has been a write off. Thank god for coffee.
I did try smashing out some sit ups and press ups once up which helped a bit and I'm looking forward to getting down to the gym later.
Maybe one of these lights needs ordering sooner rather than later based on above comments. Hope your Monday morning was better than mine
I think what you are suffering from is mental not physical so any improvements to diet, light or physical is going to be a waste or placebo.Woke up naturally about 6:30 and should have got up, thought I'd get another hour which basically ruined me, felt shattered all morning. Why do I repeat this mistake so often, wake up early feeling fine, FFS go and seize the day, I'm actually angry at myself, again!
Had my Vitamin D, my multivitamin, a capsule with iron/cod liver etc and about to have a berocca, no doubt I'll be fine this afternoon but this morning has been a write off. Thank god for coffee.
I did try smashing out some sit ups and press ups once up which helped a bit and I'm looking forward to getting down to the gym later.
Maybe one of these lights needs ordering sooner rather than later based on above comments. Hope your Monday morning was better than mine
MitchT said:
I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where they day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
End of BST.........MitchT said:
I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where the day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
Wow, that's exactly how I feel. I've been meaning to purchase one of the wake up lights for years, this thread has just made me finally order one. Can't stand waking up in the dark day after day. I'm luckier than some in the sense I get to ride my bike to work daily which helps but don't get in my way if I've woken in the dark and then had to drive to work. Double trouble.
Haven't told the other half I've purchased one tho..
jonamv8 said:
A question while I think. Sunrise is currently about 6:50 I think, if I don't have to be up until 7:30/45 and I sleep with curtains open is there any point? I'm guessing yes as the light gained from the lamp will be far superior but wanted to check before I spend £60
Not so important this time of year, but ensure your curtains are closed and it's properly dark when you sleep. Obvs, much more important in Spring and Summer.Lots of starchy veg, beans and grains with plenty of fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables is beneficial for everyone even if you're not affected by SAD, so can't go wrong there. Keep oils and fats to absolute minimum.
Vitamin D3 supps can help if you're unable to get an hour or two in the sun every week, but rickets is rarely seen.
No need to supplement iron though, not unless you're been diagnosed as having a genuine deficiency.
IANAD, just what works for me.
LordGrover said:
Not so important this time of year, but ensure your curtains are closed and it's properly dark when you sleep. Obvs, much more important in Spring and Summer.
Lots of starchy veg, beans and grains with plenty of fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables is beneficial for everyone even if you're not affected by SAD, so can't go wrong there. Keep oils and fats to absolute minimum.
Vitamin D3 supps can help if you're unable to get an hour or two in the sun every week, but rickets is rarely seen.
No need to supplement iron though, not unless you're been diagnosed as having a genuine deficiency.
IANAD, just what works for me.
Why are you suggesting keeping oils and fats to a minimum? Surely the right oils and fats (e.g. coconut and olive oils) should be fine?Lots of starchy veg, beans and grains with plenty of fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables is beneficial for everyone even if you're not affected by SAD, so can't go wrong there. Keep oils and fats to absolute minimum.
Vitamin D3 supps can help if you're unable to get an hour or two in the sun every week, but rickets is rarely seen.
No need to supplement iron though, not unless you're been diagnosed as having a genuine deficiency.
IANAD, just what works for me.
My OH bought a SAD lamp. I'm not sure how useful it is personally because A: the light is so stark and 'brittle' (for lack of a better expression), it actually seems quite harsh, B: it's very concentrated and casts shadows everywhere and, C: it confuses our cats because they don't use clocks to get a sense of time. I prefer a softer light that fills the whole room more effectively. The SAD lamp has an operating theatre-like clinicalness about it which isn't at all friendly.
Biker 1 said:
MitchT said:
I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where they day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
End of BST.........battered said:
Except that it isn't, there's another month yet. It's the equinox, sure, but that's no significant change from one day to the next. The sun sets a minute earlier and rises a minute later every day, give or take. That's undetectable from one day to the next, unless you are measuring it with an accurate clock.
Sorry, I meant that my SAD symptoms seem to start at the end of BST. I guess its the early nights.... I find February & mid March the hardest; its that false Spring, when you get a few warmer days, they wallop - frost/fog/grey/drizzle again, for what seems an eternity.On a lighter note, this is the fake sunrise I have had for several years now; very well made & sturdier than the Lumi (at least at the time) - they do some other good looking stuff also: http://www.sunrisesystemled.com/srs100.html
That woman in the Sunrise photo can wake me up in the morning anytime she likes, I wouldn't have any form of SAD. Is that what you meant when you said they have some seriously good looking stuff?
Joking aside, I find the best way of getting the best out of winter and not getting worn down by the darkness is to spend as much time as possible outdoors so you maximise the light exposure. I had a spell of head injury induced fatigue that might have been worse in autumn and early winter, I've learned to cope with it by sleeping when I need to, and ensuring that when I sleep, whether it's a catnap or a proper kip, I set out my stall to maximise the rest. I also make a point of getting out, even if it's just a stroll to the shops at lunchtime.
Joking aside, I find the best way of getting the best out of winter and not getting worn down by the darkness is to spend as much time as possible outdoors so you maximise the light exposure. I had a spell of head injury induced fatigue that might have been worse in autumn and early winter, I've learned to cope with it by sleeping when I need to, and ensuring that when I sleep, whether it's a catnap or a proper kip, I set out my stall to maximise the rest. I also make a point of getting out, even if it's just a stroll to the shops at lunchtime.
S10GTA said:
MitchT said:
I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where the day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
Wow, that's exactly how I feel. I've been meaning to purchase one of the wake up lights for years, this thread has just made me finally order one. Can't stand waking up in the dark day after day. I'm luckier than some in the sense I get to ride my bike to work daily which helps but don't get in my way if I've woken in the dark and then had to drive to work. Double trouble.
Haven't told the other half I've purchased one tho..
I've been experiencing it for about 25 years. It varies in severity from one year to another. I've noticed, over the years, that the more in control of my life I feel the less it bothers me. It's when I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere or know what to do about it that it gets on top of me most. There's a sense of being helpless and spiraling uncontrollably toward my eventual death without first achieving what I want, like having a panic attack in slow motion and like time's running out quicker than I can get on the right track and get where I want.
battered said:
Biker 1 said:
MitchT said:
I noticed this kicking off. September 22 (for me) was like tripping a switch. Suddenly a creeping sense of menacing darkness and inevitability hanging over me like a cloud where they day before there had been nothing. It's the same every year. I've usually adjusted by mid-November and don't really notice anymore, though spring and the first day that I feel the sun on the back of my neck is always like a weight off my shoulders.
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