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Post by painttheseconds on Jan 16, 2011 13:38:13 GMT -5
I feel like I really struggle with this as well. I usually feel great during the summer, but once winter hits I feel sluggish and depressed. I have no desire to go anywhere because it's so cold and it takes so much for me to get the motivation to go and exercise. I think I'll pick up some Vitamin D when I go to the store tonight.
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Post by JC on Jan 16, 2011 13:57:17 GMT -5
Keri lets go! And it's funny you mentioned the tan towel because I used one the other day because I just felt like having a little bit of a glow. And paint, I have a hard time finding motivation to go anywhere too. As soon as I walk out I just so damn angry at how cold it is!! UGH! I want one of those fancy lightbulbs!
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Post by cherry on Jan 16, 2011 14:52:49 GMT -5
Take me in your case please! I have always felt I was made for warmer climes, but then I melted this week when we had 10 degrees celsius (A high here, it was regularly minus 10 2 weeks ago) weather I was built for Cali weather and the Santa Anas. I've heard of SAD lamps before, Boots sold them years ago when I realised I had it as a teen and the £20 was out of my price range!
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Post by hellsbells on Jan 16, 2011 16:05:29 GMT -5
I looked into a Phillips one. It's also used to help you wake up in the morning. Cheapest one was around £140.
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Post by Karen on Jan 16, 2011 17:37:26 GMT -5
Yeah, I can't justify the cost. My neighbor used one with mixed results, and my therapist has one and always turns it on during sessions, but I haven't noticed any difference and I can't justify the cost. And since I'm always in a rush out the door in the morning, I'd have to use it at work and that would just be too weird. We have a very open floor plan and all the third floor people can look down and see my desk, in addition to all the second floor people that would see. I don't need 2/3 of the company seeing my SAD lamp!
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Post by cherry on Jan 16, 2011 19:41:49 GMT -5
if there's a bulb I could get I'd be very interested!
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Post by uncomfortable on Jan 17, 2011 13:35:37 GMT -5
I don't think you need a specific lamp. There are light bulbs called Daylight and they are maybe $1 or 2 more then regular bulbs. Its the wavelength of the lightbulb that you are looking for, and these have a similar colour temperature to natural daylight (which is blue). I believe its around 4000 Kelvin that the lights generally are. Bright sun is usually 5600 Kelvin. The reason they sell the SAD lamps is to give you a high wattage of these lights in the face. Granted I am sure they are much more effective then having a lightbulb change-up, but I have done just the light bulbs and I find it makes a slight difference. You can also try getting "grow light" light bulbs as well. Its the same concept, of matching the colour temperature of the sun.
Also though, I think just changing over to a softer coloured bulb in general would be more effective then most office lighting. Fluorescent lights have a green colour spike in them which naturally make people more irritated and combine that with their power cycling and you get a nice frequency pulse induced headache. This can also tire people out a lot more easily.
For me personally, I need a combination of a lot of things to not feel the depressed from the darkness and season. I try to match daylight for my lighting, but I also take 3000 IU of Vitamin D a day, plus I force myself to go for walks, or do other active things. I don't feel like going out in the cold, but once I am out I find it quite enjoyable, and then if I do it for a few days in a row, then I feel more motivated to want to keep doing it. However, it can certainly still be a huge drag. Especially when it is minus 20 C outside!! Eating more fruits and vegetables makes me happier in the winter too. I don't know if that is coincidental or not though.
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Post by cherry on Jan 17, 2011 17:19:31 GMT -5
Brillaint thanks for all of that info. Sounds like needing a balance of everything so I'm excited to try it all out. I do think my exercise is helping me on many levels and getting outside is such a tonic some days.
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Post by Karen on Jan 17, 2011 20:49:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the info! I'll have to look into getting a bulb. I'm lucky that my office is mostly natural lighting - I sit near a 2 story floor-to-ceiling window and we get lots of morning sun (when it's sunny) - but could use whatever boost I can get.
As for going outside, I do think that's part of my problem but I'm always so chilled I just can't do it. I spend at least 5 hours between work and home with a space heater on, sleep with a heating blanket all night, always have a sweater (or two) and a scarf on at work, 2 pairs of socks, sheepskin slippers on whenever I'm at home, and I'm STILL always cold all the time. The only time I'm outside most days is the 20 steps it takes to walk from my condo to my garage on the way to and from work, and we have underground parking at work so I don't have to go outside then, either. I can't handle the cold/snow at all!
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Post by uncomfortable on Jan 17, 2011 20:56:30 GMT -5
Karen, I used to be the same way with always being cold!! But I don't have a car, so I find myself walking all over the place out of necessity, and I think it has really improved my circulation by a significant amount. I don't feel nearly as cold as I used to! Also, the hot flashes from the Provera don't hurt I have to say though that I honestly think the physical exercise OUTSIDE has helped me the most. Being active inside gyms, and in my own house has benefits, but I feel really great after being active outside. The fresh air, the cold cheeks and runny nose. I just bundle up like a marshmallow and soon enough I am to hot, and shedding layers. I agree it is very hard to start the ball rolling, but I find it to be my biggest help. I feel gross when I don't go outside, no matter how cold it is!
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Post by cherry on Jan 17, 2011 21:44:14 GMT -5
This will sound stupid but I think I'm onto something: I walk fairly briskly, it's a habit of mine and can annoy people. I overheat easilt and have taken to (on none too cold days, or on my lunch at work) walking with my scarf on etc but my coat open. I can't tell you how badly I used to tolerate the cold. But somehow I got into the habit of voluntarily letting myself get a little chilled, and I then enjoy the act of getting warm again. Running around in my underwear when the heating isn't on, jumping into a warm shower and getting out to a warmed up house. Coat open, walking to the gym instead of getting the bus. It sounds nuts but it's like I've taken control of feeling cold, and can appreciate it now and I seem to get warm easier too.
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Post by Karen on Jan 17, 2011 21:49:40 GMT -5
I know I'm going to sound like I'm just making excuses or I'm just a big wimp, but seriously, I'm freezing cold ALL the time. I have a very low BP and low body temp, and it's on my list of things for my doc to help me investigate. I've always suspected my thyroid and that's one of the next things on deck with my doc. If my feet get cold, I'm useless - can't think, don't want to move, can't sleep - and the only thing I can do is soak them in hot water or put them within inches of a heater for a long time. Just about every guy I've dated has bought me some sort of sock/blanket/bath soak in an attempt to warm me up because they see how sensitive I am to it. The last one just got me some foot and hand warmers! Getting outside in the cold is just not in the cards for me, which I'm sure is part of the reason SAD sucks balls so much for me at the moment. I'm glad the two of you have been able to make strides in that area, though!
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Post by cherry on Jan 17, 2011 21:59:03 GMT -5
Ah the feet thing is my achilles heel. And if you're that sensitive to cold I can see why it makes you miserable and it stands to reason that SAD is kicking your ass. Continental winters are horrible from what I hear. I put thick cotton socks on, then a hot water bottle in the bed or on the couch for my feet, and a seperate one for my tummy. I give a quick blast of the hairdryer under my sheets before I get in, heavenly! My body temp used to be on the low side (I can't say what now as I've lost my thermometer?!) but I feel healthier in general so that's why I can take these liberties now. If I were a jogger I'd love to wrap up so only my face was bare and have a wobble around the park. Cold air in your face but warm all over cos of jogging gear and being active. Can you hit a gym Karen? I wouldn't be caught dead exercising outside I do in a controlled environment!
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Post by uncomfortable on Jan 17, 2011 21:59:23 GMT -5
I don't think you are being a wimp at all karen. I also have extremely low blood pressure (its something I am working on with the naturopath right now) and my hands and feet are always cold (until I start moving) I have more thermal wear and hats, mitts, and warm socks then I can count!! I know, it seriously sucks to be cold. I HATE it! Especially cold hands and feet. Moving around is the only thing that seems to help me get them warm though. I have a bad time of always going to bed with cold feet, but then I noticed I'd always wake up with really nice and warm feet, so I've tried in recent months to do breathing exercises to help me relax in an effort to warm my feet. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't, and when it doesn't, I go and get my faithful hot water bottle. I know when cold, it feels like you can never warm up. So here's to your warmth Karen!!! Hopefully you can manage to stay toasty and feel more cheerful in your efforts. If all else fails, I am hoping to figure out a way to hibernate!
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Post by KSA on Jan 18, 2011 15:46:36 GMT -5
Have the low bp and the cold hands too and Karen I use the hand warmers lol. I send Jacob to ski club with these little packets called Grabber Warmers. They work. www.warmers.com I won't leave the house wout them and I have been forcing myself out these days its is so cold but I know hibernating is not healthy.
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