merkel@hriso.ATT.COM (Thomas Merkel) (01/16/90)
It is getting to be my least favorite time of year. It seems that every year in early January I start to slow down, lose energy and interest, and generally go into a slump. This state of mind usually persists until the days start getting warmer and spring is at hand. I'm bringing this up as a general topic because it seems to affect a small group of people strongly, while other people don't seem bothered by it at all. I've heard mild to severe winter depressions described as a Seasonal Adjustment Disorder, an actual physical malady that can be helped by exposure to strong light. I don't go into a deep depression, I'm not even sure that what I feel can be described as a depression, but I have a lot of difficulty with feeling good in February. This has been a recent topic of discussion in my circles, and I'm wondering how many others have noticed this, and what you do to cope with it. Some people seem to think it is BS, in the imagination, or just a character defect. Others have had experiences similar to mine, and end up fighting it each winter, just as I do. I try to cope by staying active - physical activity, a hobby, keep up my meetings. It has gotten easier to deal with, but it still is there. I'm dreaming of May flowers already! -Tom -- Tom Merkel att!hriso!merkel merkel@hriso.ATT.COM 201-898-3547 eschew obfuscation
anne@fate.eng.buffalo.edu (Anne Pfohl) (01/17/90)
In article <1990Jan16.154431.8304@hriso.ATT.COM> merkel@hriso.ATT.COM (Thomas Merkel) writes: > >I try to cope by staying active - physical activity, a hobby, >keep up my meetings. It has gotten easier to deal with, but >it still is there. I'm dreaming of May flowers already! > Just yesterday I was visiting with my folks - we were watching a TV movie based in California - sunshine, green grass, warm beaches - we just sat there and sighed and said "Doesn't that look great!" It's been pretty cold and snowy here in Buffalo this year (no, it isn't THAT bad EVERY year, contrary to popular belief!), and the past few days we've seen a bit of a thaw. I saw little shoots of grass coming up from beneath the snow. I start to feel a bit down in the dumps heading into February. It feels like I am just slogging ahead - feeling the muck inside as well as seeing it and moving through it outside. Like you, Tom, I've been staying busy - seeing friends, starting Tai Chi class, and an Ornithology class (birds). We went on a field trip - saw over 25 different species of birds - and it was snowing and cold, but it was an awful lot of fun. Having you all and alt.recovery to check in on helps too. And I still feel the hope of spring, and a greater ability to enjoy the moment, winter or not, thanks to my recovery. Anne anne@fate.eng.buffalo.edu >-Tom >--
rnt@drutx.ATT.COM (Bob Thomas) (01/17/90)
in article <1990Jan16.154431.8304@hriso.ATT.COM>, merkel@hriso.ATT.COM (Thomas Merkel) says: > > It is getting to be my least favorite time of year. It seems > that every year in early January I start to slow down, lose > energy and interest, and generally go into a slump. > This state of mind usually persists until the days start > getting warmer and spring is at hand. A lot of slips, relapses, or whatever you want to call them seem to happen this time of year -- even more so than the rest of the year. Whether it's depression, or fighting the urge to hibernate, who knows? For me, it's doubly important to keep up my attendance at meetings and to make sure I'm doing my daily spiritual maintenance stuff. I also try to sit in the sun for five or ten minutes each day; although it may or may not combat depression, it's relaxing. > > I'm bringing this up as a general topic because it seems to > affect a small group of people strongly, while other people > don't seem bothered by it at all. I've heard mild to severe > winter depressions described as a Seasonal Adjustment Disorder, > an actual physical malady that can be helped by exposure to > strong light. I don't go into a deep depression, I'm not even > sure that what I feel can be described as a depression, but > I have a lot of difficulty with feeling good in February. I get the blahs too, sometime during the winter. Not "I want to end it all" type of stuff, but I tend to whine a little more, to be more irritable, and to catch colds easier. > > ..... I'm dreaming of May flowers already! And pilgrims landing at Plymouth rock too, no doubt. Bob Thomas
moiram@tekcae.CAX.TEK.COM (Moira Mallison) (01/18/90)
I notice it earlier in the season: around Thanksgiving. Makes it hard for me to keep the energy going through finals week, the second week of December. Last year I *was* sliding into a major depressive episode and was in denial around that until I hit bottom. It took me 4 - 5 months to climb out of it. This year I was committed to being aware of any hints of a relapse so I could catch it earlier. Instead of making an effort to be more active when I was feeling lethargic, I honored the hibernative tendencies. I carefully chose activities which were nurturing for me. In the past, I have spent a lot of time and effort making special Christmas presents. This year I purchased them all (with a list and a budget! another win!) in probably record minimal time. I took vacation time before Christmas so I could do what I wanted to do and not be rushed about it. I spent as much alone time as i could squeeze out. I was committed to a stress-free holiday season, and I was fairly successful. I created a balance between being a "slug" and accomplishing what was most important to accomplish. In the Celtic tradition, the period between winter solstice and candlemas (February 1) is the time of the seed germinating in the earth, and analagously, a time of focus on inner contemplation. I have been doing a lot of journal writing about "what is it I *really* want?", "what am I doing?", "is it working?", "what else am I willing to do?", "how will I know if that works?", etc. As I honor what it is I am hungry for (a lot more rest and relaxation, lately), I am less likely to try to satisfy the hunger with food. Candlemas is the time we begin to bring the focus from inner contemplation to outer manifestation in the world. I honor my body's seasonal cycles which are so deeply engrained in my Spirit. namaste, Moira