Cheap ways to combat SAD??

Hi everyone!! I was just wondering, does anyone have any cheap ways of combatting SAD? I would love to get a light therapy product but just don't have the money... I figure there's gotta be other ways! Thanks all! :)

Thanks very much Me! Am new to the site, it's such a great place to speak to people who actually know what it's like!! :) Am having a fairly good dy today actually though the weather isn't helping the tiredness much!!

Lol yup all good!!
I attempt to go to the gym but its just so much of an effort!! Lol and thats on a good day!!

If only we could get a lightbox on NHS eh. Im sure some, not all, people would then feel more capable of helping themselves cope better.

Me x

I think you are being a trifle harsh Linda. Not everyone has the £130+ to purchase a lightbox, certainly not 'just like that'.

When you're feeling low, it's so very difficult to do all the things we know we should be doing, like exercise etc.

I think what people need to find is something - be it a lightbox, or drugs, or diet, or a combination, to give them that boost, to be able to feel good enough to put energy into living healthily.

If you can't afford a light box right now, then start saving, and in the mean time, try and find something else to give you a boost. Even something as basic as drinking enough water (2litres a day) can make such a difference. Then once you can afford your light box, it should make things even better. The trick is to find what combination of things work for you.
Best of luck!

You know, I agree with absolutely everyone, even my own message.

If I may repeat my age ole quote:-

'The days when you can not be bothered to do exercise are the days when you get more benefit out of it.'
There, done it. Promise not to mention it again - honest (fingers crossed).

You know, Im sure im going loopy today!

Me x

It is tough to get a lightbox. I got my first one on eBay for $100. It was invaluable, though. It hasn't cured my SAD by any means, but I bought the lightbox out of desperation when I was literally barely making it home from work... I'd cry on my way home from work because the walk from the trolley stop took SO... MUCH... EFFORT.

I'd get home, collapse into bed and sleep for 10 hours (at least) and then do it all again the next day. The lightbox helped me start living again.

Exercise is a huge help, too, but I was at the point that I fell into bed every day...

OK my thoughts, you do have to actually DO something about wanting to be better. We all know when we are down it's easy to sit around and mope.

Light boxes are expensive, I had to buy a light and a visor in the first year (when OH was unemployed) and I probably paid for them twice over on the credit card but once I'd tried one on trial there was no way I was giving it back!

Have you looked at the payments schemes on the Lumie site? There is a trial option and when I bought you could pay over a couple of months (interest free I think). If you haven't done that then get on an do it. That's what I mean by doing something.

What I've learnt about SAD is that you have to force yourself to do things - exercise, eating well, using light etc.)

Do something positive and then come back and tell us about it, I promise you that you'll feel better for it.

Kaz I know the feeling! I'd decided to go to the 9.30 aerobics session on Sunday... I woke naturally at 8.55 and dragged myself there on time.... I thought I was going to do myself a mischief, I'm so unfit! But I'm glad I did it. Whether I go again is another question entirely.....!!!!!!!

Fantastic work guys.

Going the first time is the worst, Keep it up, itll give you a lovely lift each time you go (or should I say finish!).

Im really chuffed with you all, - I feel like Ive received 'one of lifes little ups' (you know, the sort of feeling you get when you open a new coffee jar and peel off the foil!)

I'm still obviously taking abit too much light, must reduce else Ill drive you all senseless.

Keep up the excellent work, and keep us informed, hopefully it will encourage others too. Even a brisk walk is cool, go with a friend and natter and you may not notice you,re exercising.


Brilliant
Me x

I'll need a lot more encouragement to go to that aerobics class again! I'm going to try something different instead like dance, more my sort of thing.
It's great being able to encourage each other, such a boost!

*hugs all round*

ooo... thanks sue, will take a look


and *hugs* right back atcha faerie!!

Dawn simulators are brilliant, im sure you wont regret it. its wonderful to wake up to a nice warm glow instead of darkness.

Faerie

Dance sounds brill. I went to Centre Parcs once, and tried out Line dancing - I enjoyed it, my mother gave in and scowled through the window at us with a drink in hand.

Also tried Salsa there too. The teacher seemed to be 'away with the fairies' (excuse the pun), but that made it a bit more interesting and slower. Enjoyed that too.

Oh also tried Fencing. Youll be glad to know that I was actualy glad when that was over. I was coaxed into it by the whole family. I reckon they just wanted to get their own back on me for the years of misery Ive given them. Unfortunately, for them the swords had blunt ends, and I came out unscaved.

You mentioned Canoeing before Paul(I think it was you) Did that when I was young for a year or so. Enjoyed that as long as I didnt have to capsize anywhere other than in a swimming pool. I was uncannily good at not going under.

Karate was a short run thing, got to purple belt, then winter set in, tears started to fly, I got frustrated, decided I wasnt learning any thing more and left. - bet that sounds familiar.

Taught Aerobics for a while, but to be honest I cant stand it. I know, I think it must have been a Spring Manic stage I was going through.

Took up running for a bit, enjoyed the freedom it gave me, I could do that anywhere and get some light at the same time. Dont run in the wind or rain though, too much like hard work.

Now yoga is the new black. Still getting into that, but it could be the start of a wonderful relationship. Lets just see what happens in the depths of January before I comment further.

Dont be sickened by all the above, I can assure you that all this was over 3 decades or so. Starting to sound lazy now arnt I.

I tell you one thing though, I think I set a new record for the high jump when I found out about the benefit info going missing. But thats a different story.

Hugs to all

Me x

Gosh I think those leg exercises would disable me for a lifetime. I feel like ive been riding a horse for two years at the moment.
Me x

Paul

Walkings perfect, and I know were all getting older (and wiser).

Me x

Im sure youll love your dawn simulator Kaz.

Mine blew up the other day. (My life is never dull!). Well actually the fuse blew inside the simulator when the bulb blew. Had to send it back to be fixed.

Lumie were great and I got it back just a few days later, free of charge, apart from a new bulb of course.

Only realised how much I loved it when it was gone.

Me x

Kaz

Do you mean daylight bulbs?

Im sure some wonderful offices have the daylight bulbs or tubes. I suppose these are more expensive than ordinary fluroscent bulbs, which would explain why most offices dont.

Not talking from experience, i hasten to add, just memory - and we all know what thats like at this time of year.

Me x

Thanks me! yeah its the tubes and my memory is well shot!!! Is that normal?? I keep walking into rooms not remembering why! (I'm getting some funny looks at work I tell you!!! Lol)

Quirky... that's a great description! :)

Hi I am new here and just wanted to say having read the messages that I think it is wonderful the way that people comment and get back to each other so quickly. I am unable to work due to ill health so saving for a lightbox for me would take until the next ice age. :0

You seem like very nice people. Do you think we could start a campaign to relocate Christmas to, say, mid-August?

I tried a plan to relocate my birthday to June 21st instead of Dec 21st, but it never caught on!

We have friends that have moved there to work, were hoping to go this Christmas, but with the huge building project we are completing we couldn't afford it. WOuld be nice to go next year or the year after though.

I've finished sealing the floor in the sitting room end of the new extension today. I'm really excited about this, as it means that we can get chairs in there and use it properly! There are patio style doors that are about 4m wide and a triangular bit above them. Also 2 rooflights. I didn't want a conservatory, but I did want lots of light and glass. The kitchen and dining room end doesn't have as much natural light, but it does have heaps of artificial light. This won't actually help the SAd, BUT it feels very cheerful.