I think my SAD syndrome has lifted!

[Millymollymandy]

I didn't think I'd be the only one who suffered so roll on spring and sunshine for those who don't already have it. I've already pruned all my roses, started tidying up my flower beds of all the dead stalky bits and am going to plant my shallots this afternoon. Just need the first daffy to come into flower then everything will be hunky dory - although I have discovered a solitary flower out already on my forsythia!

I love this time of year as so much starts to happen. The birdsong alone has lifted my spirits, just waiting for the first chiff chaff to arrive as its song (if you can call it that! ) always heralds the start of spring for me.

[TheGoodEarth]

My cure for SAD was to book a holiday to Spain at Easter to get some warmth back into my bones...one month and counting!

[Milims]

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. The winter can seem so long and it's so good to have a wee bit of sunshine to refresh you. Good news about the knitting - I have to say that I think it's one of the things that helpd to stop me going potty!

[Julysea]

I suffer quite badly from SAD every year and have done for years. The thing which has helped me the most is a light-box. Some years it's been the only thing which has saved me. I also take a multivitamin plus extra vitamin D and omega oils, make sure I limit the amount of sugar I eat (craving it is part of SAD), and have regular bed-times and getting up times, even though my sleep patterns are completely buggered by the SAD. If I give in to the sleep problems I end up practically nocturnal by spring. I also spend as much time outside as I can in the winter, especially the hour around midday - which has been easier since being at home with the kids.

I have also taken St John's Wort in the past, but it takes some time to kick in, and I don't like taking things long-term. I don't like taking medications (even herbal ones) while breastfeeding, so haven't been able to take it for the last 7 years BUT, I've found the feel-good hormones released by breastfeeding have helped in and of themselves so it's only now that my son has really cut down his feeding habits that I've been suffering again.

Stupid bloody screwed up brain chemistry...

[Odsox]

Just need the first daffy to come into flower then everything will be hunky dory

There you go MMM, have some by proxy ...........

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[Millymollymandy]

Thanks Tony there is something so cheerful about yellow at this time of year. I'm surprised by the gazania though - isn't that a bit early?! I have hellebores flowering but they don't show up so well as daffs.

Oh and if you remember my comfrey saga (which turned out to be two teasels and a comfrey ), the comfrey has a flower bud on it!

[Odsox]

Well you certainly beat me with the comfrey.
I just looked at mine and it's just beginning to show signs of life with a few tiny leaves.
Absolutley no sign of a flower bud and come to think about it, I don't think mine flowers until late summer.

[Millymollymandy]

It's still in a pot in the cold frame so I think it's possibly a bit more advanced than if it had been out in the open! I've got to plant it out very soon but this coming week we've got overnight minus temps so I might just prep the area where it is going first. My only winter flowering pansies that are looking healthy and flowering are the couple of leftovers still in the cold frame!

[Dave]

I often get SAD and have tried all sorts of things, St John's Wort certainly helped but I this year I didn't suffer at all. I used a lightbox like Julysea and it was fantastic, will certainly do the same next year.

Julysea - did you find it sometimes worked a little too well and you could become a bit hyperactive?

[MuddyWitch]

I'm a member of the SAD club too. We built a huge conservatory here & although it's very cold in there I try to do some work on my lap top whilst watching the birds. It does help.

I'm in agreement with the 'reflected light from snow' theory that GA put forward; I don't seem to have been as bad this year, despite the cold, grotty weather. But maybe it's 'cos I'm so busy preparing to sell up?

MW

[Millymollymandy]

I'm really frustrated now cos I'm raring to go but the weather has turned freezing again with an evil NE wind that makes doing anything outside unbearable and spring has been put on hold! Not a cloud in the sky and it looks beautiful, but!

If I feel like this again next winter I will look at getting a light box, as although I like knitting I would rather have some energy and I haven't even been able to muster up any enthusiasm for getting on my exercise bike which my husband is muttering about - 'knew it would end up gathering dust'!

[Julysea]

I often get SAD and have tried all sorts of things, St John's Wort certainly helped but I this year I didn't suffer at all. I used a lightbox like Julysea and it was fantastic, will certainly do the same next year.

Julysea - did you find it sometimes worked a little too well and you could become a bit hyperactive?

Yes, I find I have to be careful only to use if first thing in the morning or I'm still buzzing around at bedtime and can't sleep. I also ahve to be careful not to let the kids too near it as it seems to ahve far more effect on them than on me and they can get really hyper, especially on days when it is really dark outside.

I actually find this time of year more difficult to cope with that the depths of winter as the odd sunny day has my mood soaring and I get really hyper, then a following dull one can cause a huge crash. I find the ups and downs unpredictable and exhausting.