SAD Autumn blues :(

[AlisonM]

30+ is quite pleasant.... But as we say, "it's a dry heat"

30+ in Aden, AOK. 30+ in Florida, good god, get me out of here before I melt. That's centigrade by the way.

 

[AJLang]

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling like this Northerner. I'm flatter than usual but normally I love this time of year, so many things to look forward to - carving the pumpkins and having sweets ready for the trick or treaters, Mark's November birthday and then CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[AJLang]

....but I do still feel flat because I haven't got the Susie autumnal walks and walks without her just aren't the same

 

[MikeTurin]

I've felt it myself as I do every Autumn. Christmas seems to be the climax and as soon as that depressing time of the year is out of the way I start to cheer up.

The most depressing time is when holidays are starting because on the mall is all filled up with christmas or halloween paraphernalia months in advance, with normally a lot of cheap sweets an cakes and cheaper gift. More and more the winter holidays are approaching everywhere is trying to sell you something. And of course you have to be happy and go to a party.
Add to this that everyone will try to give you some of the aforementioned cheap bread-cakes and cheap wine and pretend that you are happy with that. Not to mention the dreaded office Christmas party and the gift façade.

Shorter and shorter daylight has a part on this too, I think. What I have noticed is that when after I was diagnosed the Xmas depression was more strong that the years before...

 

[Amigo]

I walked round the shops today and they're laden with goodies for Halloween and Christmas. Similarity when I was away for the weekend, the shops were full of gorgeous temptations and a shop with exquisite home made chocolates made me feel like I wasn't a 'normal' person...that these things were out of bounds. Doing this D thing on diet alone means there's little room for manoeuvre. Having said that I've had fish and chips for lunch and been rewarded with a 9.2 but in the piggy circumstances it's a good result! 🙄

 

[MikeTurin]

Doing this D thing on diet alone means there's little room for manoeuvre. Having said that I've had fish and chips for lunch and been rewarded with a 9.2 but in the piggy circumstances it's a good result! 🙄

For a slice of Panettone breadckake made by Gattullo or San Carlo two days before I happily make a break, but for some strange things bought in the mall that can't even be called legally "Panettone" because they're made without egg and butter?

This is a photo of the real thing made in abakery in Milan

 

[AngelaY9847]

It's that time of year again, and I'm finding it almost impossible to lift my mood I really am not suited to dark mornings, particularly - I always wake early, but artificial light can't replace true daylight for me. Insulin requirements have also increased by 50% over the past week or so, from 14 to 21 units a day, no reason, same diet, same exercise etc.

View attachment 2111

I really don't like this time of year either, even before I was diabetic! This year I am really dreading winter.

I've upped my vitamin D and B12 intake, so hopefully that will keep me going.

It's just the time of year I want comfort foods the most. Need to find some good recipes.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Food wise, I find this time of year easier. Time to get out the slow cooker & do stews! Went shopping yesterday early evening. First time since about March that I went shopping in the dark. Seems odd.

 

[Radders]

I make a point of going out for a walk after lunch. In winter it will be the only time I see daylight, starting and often finishing work when it's dark. It seems to help my overall feeling of wellbeing as well as my pm blood sugar levels.

 

[Mark T]

What colour are the light bulbs in your house?

We switched a number of ours to daylight white a few years ago. My wife prefers it as it gives a better colour when taking pictures for her online shop. But it has the benefit that it's the same color you get in SAD boxes.

The only downside is that the daylight bulbs don't seem to last as long.

 

[Maz2]

I am sorry you are feeling so down Northerner. I have a couple of friends who feel like this at this time of year. One finds it difficult to even open the curtains first thing. I used to know someone years ago who was considering retiring to Turkey (before all the present troubles started) as her hubby was so bad he was almost suicidal at this time of year. My mother also got like it after my father's death. She was OK before but he died on 28th October when the clocks were changing so I think it was that.

I am very lucky that it does not affect me too much at this time of year as I look forward to Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas and New Year. It starts to get to me about the 2nd or 3rd week in January when I am getting up to go to work in the dark and coming home in it.

If you like walking I wonder if it might help if you go for a short walk in the daylight if you can.