The Hibernation Effect

I do as well. I can look back on my life and see distinct patterns of depression and isolating behaviors this time of year. Sometimes it has been annoying and other times, I have actually done some real damage to my life because of it.

when it gets dark my body and mind shut down. I want to get in bed and stay there. I find it difficult to concentrate and and be motivtaed to ANYTHING. When there is a day with sunshine I can see a distinct change in mood. I know i have SAD.

I look forward to the longer days with a vengence. I want to eat everything in sight right now

I am so there with ya! Yesterday with all the rain and warm weather I was looking at the sides of the roads 1/2 expecting to see daffodils and crocuses popping up, then the dark reality hit me that it is still January and I almost cried (LITERALLY!). Winter is very hard on me since my sugery and more-so since buying our house. I want to be outside in my gardens, taking care of my veggies and looking at my flowers. These cold dark days KILL me. I am always cold. I can't get out of bed in the morning - I've been getting to work later and later.

COME ON SPRING!

so I asked about the tanning at the gym and found out it is only $5 per month. I have to give them $10 to start and then they add the $5 to the fee I am already paying for the gym membership.  There is no contract for the tanning and I can cancel it whenever I want.  I didn't have any cash on me today, but I will definitely be bringing it tomorrow!! It is a standing tanning booth, not a bed, so it is much cleaner.  I'll go once or twice a week at the most.. not trying to get too dark, just get the benefits of the "sun".  Guess I have to dig out my tanning stuff!!

I remember paying something like $25 or $30 per month and thinking it was a good deal.  $5?!?!? woo hoo!!

Wow! That sounds like a great deal! I DON'T think my gym currently has tanning but they just acquire the doylestown hospital health and Wellness center and they might. Otherwise I'll be looking for another alternative.

K

???

It's definately possible for me.  I was chalking it up to my freaking thyroid being out of whack (i'll post about that in awhile...) and my ever changing schedule and my now recurrent problem of lack of sleep. My sleep pattern had been better for awhile...but it's off again....but I digress.

I'm not depressed, like you said, and my labs are fine.  But I have almost nill motivation to do just about anything.

We should all move to Hawaii or something so we're happy all the time and Liz can look at flowers :)

Jumping in late here - I am with all of you! I call this the "dark time of year" and find that I do my best when I just allow myself to go to bed early. I got a heated throw for the couch at Costco.

I've wondered about the SAD lights - they have that at Costco also.

I just have trouble focusing on most anything...even the things I want to do.