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  #1   ^
Old Thu, Mar-22-01, 10:08
greene greene is offline
New Member
Posts: 3
 
Plan:
Stats: 137/137/125
BF:
Progress:
Location: Virginia
Cool

I would like to thank all of you have discussed SAD. I have learned so much just by reading your discussions. I have recently discoved that this is exactly my problem on cloudy, rainy, dreary days. I always knew I felt bad on certain days, but just couldn't figure it out. A co-worker told me about SAD.

It was proven to me when I was moved into an office with a window. On sunny days, regardless of the temperature, I was extremely cheery and bubbly. The clouds would roll in and there I would go, down with the sun. A couple of months ago, I was regretfully moved from my nice office with a window into a different office without a window. Now it is even worse. I cannot see outside all day, and I hate it. Maybe it is better this way so that I don't know what it is like out there, but I believe on the pretty days I would love enjoy the sunshine. Just the natural light helped. Wish I knew the perfect way to get my old office back???

Anyway, thanks for all of your great discussions and I will continue to read on and learn from you guys.

Spring and Summer are well on there way, can't wait!

P.S. I have to have my sunglasses on sunny days...is this a sign that I may not suffer from SAD?

Take Care.
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  #2   ^
Old Thu, Mar-22-01, 10:20
r.mines's Avatar
r.mines r.mines is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 1,383
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 162/124/120 Female 5'1"
BF:
Progress: 90%
Location: Vancouver,BC
Smile Welcome, O Fellow Sad One!

Thanks for your comments. I never thought our discussion could be useful to someone else....just thought I was blowing off steam....I'm so glad you found it useful!!! And thanks for joining us!

Believe me, I FEEL for you about the loss of your office (the window in particular). I'd be devastated. If you see your doctor and get a diagnosis of SAD, perhaps you could use this as leverage to get your window back? It's a recognized medical condition, after all - if you were in a wheelchair, they'd have to make sure your workplace was suitable, what's the difference with this? If you can't get a window, at least they should provide you with ultra-bright lighting. It's worth a try, anyway. You can't work when you're depressed (I can't, anyway).

I don't know about the use of sunglasses 'proving' anything one way or another. I don't use them regularly, but then we don't get much sun where I live (Vancouver Canada). Maybe you just have sensitive eyes, or maybe you get a lot of bright, glaring sun in Virginia. I wouldn't worry about it.

Take care, and keep us posted,
Rachel
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  #3   ^
Old Thu, Mar-22-01, 12:04
doreen T's Avatar
doreen T doreen T is offline
Forum Founder
Posts: 37,202
 
Plan: LC paleo/ancestral
Stats: 241/188/140 Female 165 cm
BF:
Progress: 52%
Location: Eastern ON, Canada
Smile hi Greene

As you stated, spring is on its way, at least in some parts of the world. Here in southeastern Ontario, it's snowing today, and cold. Ugghh.

Is there any way you could add more light to your office space? If not, how about a framed mirror, with a plant next to it, to emulate a window? A spider plant, pothos or english ivy would be extremely low maintenance -- or even a fake plant -- nowadays they're very realistic. Just a thought.

Try to get in some bright light early in the morning, if you can, for about 30 minutes. Sit next to a bright lamp or a bright window while you're having brekkie, and read or catch up on business reports or whatever. If you take transit to work, maybe leave the house a bit earlier so you can walk for a bit to a bus stop that's further away. Even on cloudy days, the total amount of light available outdoors is still greater than indoors with artificial lighting! ..

About sunglasses -- I'm extremely photosensitive as well, and have to wear sunglasses -- especially when there's lots of snow, which is reflective and creates a lot of "glare" even on cloudy days. Photosensitivity has a lot of causes, from aging to side effect of certain medications. It's doubtful to be directly related to SAD.

A carefully planned lowcarb diet should also help symptoms. By carefully planned, I'm suggesting that you try to eat smaller amounts more frequently, and always include some protein at every meal AND snack. This will prevent swings and dips in blood sugar, which seem to have an influence on the level of important neurohormones such as serotonin and dopamine (which play a role in mood, sleep/wake, cravings, etc...). Oh, another thought too, if you're in an air-conditioned office where the air is very dry, make sure you stay well-hydrated through the day. If there's no water cooler, be sure to take your own bottled water or other carb-free fluid to drink.

(I've been following a Canadian study on SAD that's currently underway. Although nothing new and exciting on the horizon, I HAVE uncovered that they are indeed looking at the relationship of diet, in particular carbohydrates, and SAD).

take care, and happy Spring

Doreen
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  #4   ^
Old Wed, Apr-04-01, 12:49
quailridge quailridge is offline
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Posts: 8
 
Plan:
Stats: 182/164/145
BF:
Progress:
Location: Maryland
Default SAD

If you are not where a window is nearby, possibly you could put one of the little fountains on or near your desk. I find that the sound of the water is soothing and makes you think of Spring (even though you may not be able to see it while you work). A small desk lamp may also help.
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