How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

ftnote — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:41:13 GMT

1 Thessalonians 5:14 speaks of consoling the depressed souls, (also see Philippeans 2:26) yes depression is not a modern affliction, hence, we pray for God's kingdom to take care of this and all other illnesses. In the interim we do the best within our means to sustain our bodies and mind in a healthful way.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

pinkskittles — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:01:54 GMT

i like dr. mercola's recommendations a lot more than buying "light boxes" and melatonin injections. that's so unnatural!

though waking up early on a bright winter morning sounds great! i'd be more excited about that if i didn't live downtown in a big metropolitan city.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Carol Morrisey — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:39:41 GMT

I greatly appreciate the many interesting points brought up. I see that there are many causes of depression--had not thought of thyroid, for example, thanks--which makes proper treatment so challenging. Conventional medicine is not always very good at probing deeply for causes, especially when they can be so murky. And a depressed person almost by definition is not likely to be able to take initiative for himself. We must all be aware and educate and advocate for each other.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

leebs — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:00:50 GMT

For those who feel more depressed during summer than winter, it might be that you are dealing with "anniversary blues," meaning the conscious or subconscious recollection of some trauma that happened on a date or time of year where the painful energy has not been cleared. Journaling, meditation, even therapy can assist there.

As for the Jesus freaks -- you are allowed your beliefs, as I am allowed mine. Just because they're not the same, we deserve to celebrate our diversity of Spirit, not spit upon each other's from a position of presumed (and unproven) superiority. After all, it's called "belief" rather than "knowledge" because none of us can know for sure until we get there, and we've not yet found anyone who can send back an email, telegram or tome from that "undiscovered realm." Tolerance for all, and leave the soapboxes to the soap manufacturers.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

geamantan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:22:45 GMT

Well-said, Barbara Dyjak!

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

curious7 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:22:00 GMT

To me depression has always been a nutritional thing, and yes a good spiritual posture, regardless of who, or how one worships. Live up to said principles.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Barbara Dyjak — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:19:42 GMT

While becoming knowledgeable about nutrition is a good thing, it can never replace becoming a child of God. I'm afraid we have gotten things dangerously out of order. In case anyone has not noticed, we are spiraling out of control. The world seems to be falling apart around us: the economy is getting worse everyday; there is a growing threat of attacks from rogue nations and terrorists; natural disasters abound. SAD or not, this is a scary world these days. It's time for intelligent people to reason this out. As I have always done with nutritional issues, I believe in getting to the root cause, not treating symptoms. We in America have lost our way. Gradually over the last few decades, perhaps due to prosperity and abundance, have left our God. The Judeao/Christian principles our great country were founded upon have been discarded. We have rushed headlong into the arms of "other gods." Apparently, they are not sufficient to save us. As Randay and learnin' mom have rightly pointed out, there is only one solution to our many problems. When we turned our backs on the One True God, we lost our wisdom, since he is the source of all wisdom. Therefore, the solutions to the devastating problems we now seek, will forever elude us. It is so sad that we have become so arrogant that we refuse to acknowledge Him, our Savior and God. Witness how the public figures who do are vilified and despised. While those claiming to be "christians," yet oppose everything Christ stands for, are worshiped.

So, yes, we should seek remedies for our physical health, but we must not ignore the Source of all life & health. New Age remedies and Eastern philosophies will leave you empty, unfulfilled, and much poorer. Salvation in Jesus Christ is free. It's time to run to Him, ask forgiveness and follow Him. He loves us and will not cast us out. Time is running out.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

R Mann — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:15:20 GMT

Being a controlled bipolar person my whole 64 years of living my life, I some times don't realize when a depression comes on, but I do recognize the symptoms they are: too much television watching (trying to find a new reality that's artificial in pretentious entertainment), oversleeping, overeating, a craving and consuming of sweets, seclusion from friends and or family, eating junk food instead of healthy nutrition, neglecting routine chores (such as laundry, auto maintenance, home repairs etc.) ignoring physical responsibilities to ones self (such dental hygiene, medical, psychological care etc.) and the list goes on. Basically, the best therapy for depression is listening to yourself, meditation (any form), relaxing, taking deep breaths, and listening to others issues in life. There's an old saying that goes; "you won't appreciate not having any shoes until you see someone that has no feet." Life is a survival test, have confidence, you'll pass! I've been through the ropes, no one is perfect, so now I make art.......go to: www.rvmann.com !Enjoy!

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

its not all bad... — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:26:51 GMT

A couple of years back, I bought a Litebook for my husband.

He wouldn't use it so I did, and the difference it made was tremendous. It took about a week to notice the improved mood & energy.

While using it, I can physically feel the chemical changes in my body as the brain process is 'switched on' - about 5 minutes into the session.

This particular device is composed of LED lights that are the exact wavelength needed (in the blue spectrum) so only a short exposure is needed - 10-15 mins - enough for a game of killer sudoku or to check email, before getting on with the morning routine.

Something else interesting i noticed is that grey days somehow seem brighter after starting the day with a burst of light.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

WellAware — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:07:33 GMT

Remember that if you get full spectrum bulbs for overhead fluorescent fixtures, you must also get a grid that lets all the light through. Very inexpensive but essential.

Full spectrum (e.g. Ott light) going directly into your eyes (needs to hit reticuloendothelial cells in back of eyes) by or over your computer screen will undo the red blood cell agglutination that is caused by computer environment, also.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Li Kin Dingirama Dari — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:29:36 GMT

Hi folks. SAD (seasonally affective disorder) is not exactly "depression" such as the kind where you are afflicted with sadness and fear. It has made me feel pretty blue, though. I live in Vancouver, BC, on the wet coast, and we have very rainy winters and not a whole lot of sunshine. Last month, while I was waiting to see an occupational therapist, I was talking to some people at the arthritis center. They swear that taking a gram of Vitamin D twice a day for SAD it works every bit as well as light therapy. So I've been giving it a try, and so far - so good. I've heard that it's really hard to overdose on Vitamin D anyway, that almost nobody gets enough of it anymore, and that it's fantastic for your immune system as well. So it's all good. I'm going to keep taking it until the sun comes back. This may be the first winter I don't get SAD. LOL!

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Randay — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:05:43 GMT

Hi ... I had depression for about 25 years. Depression is a thing of the past for my life anymore. I found that the Jesus method worked for me. After I gave my life to Jesus and asked him to forgive me for the sin that I had allowed to scramble my head and my life, everything changed completely. Now I have peace and joy in my life instead of sadness and fear. I owe all the praise and graditude to Jesus my Lord. He gave me a new start in life. A new biginning!! He will do the same for anyone who is sorry and repentant for the things that they have done...... Are you looking for a better way??

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

JoshandSarahsMom — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:58:02 GMT

Does anyone else find that their depression actually improves during the winter? I don't know, the last few years, spring and summer have been really hard on me. I have a few theories. Possibly increased allergies during that time? Possibly too MUCH serotonin from sunlight (since I am already on an SSRI)? Too MUCH Vit D (I was on a high-dose prescription for a couple of years, and I believe I got toxic on it). Possibly heat intolerance, big time. Also, maybe just the notion that during the summer you are supposed to be outside feeling great and happy and having a big time, and some of us are not. I have fibromyalgia and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with severe fatigue and joint damage. You won't find me jogging on the beach or jumping off the high dive at the pool in the Summer. I tend to prefer the Christmas holidays curled up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa (organic and homemade of course!). There is something I can participate in and feel somewhat "normal". Just wondered if anyone else felt like this.

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Maurine1 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:33:55 GMT

I googled The Sedona Method to find out what it is. Among other things there's a youtube introduction at

www.youtube.com/watch

that explains something about it (trying to sell a course in it, probably, but useful nonetheless).

re: How to Fend Off Depression in Winter

Kennio — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:41:26 GMT

I suggest RBC analysis to determine which vitamins and minerals are deficient. Cure the deficiency... cure the depression in most cases.