I come alive in March.
In fact, I count off the weeks during January and February, looking forward to the day I can flip the calendar to March.
Why March? Because it signals the beginning of spring. The days are longer. The sunshine is brighter.
For years, I didn’t know how to define my problem with the first two months of the year. Then I read an article about Seasonal Affective Disorder and recognized my symptoms:
- Feeling sad – duh!
- Losing interest in normal activities
- Low energy
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling sluggish
- Difficulty concentrating
- Wanting to escape, move, go somewhere warm – I added this one.
Check, check and double check.
Every January and February I wish I could become a snowbird – flee to Arizona and bask in the warmth. But instead, the cold gray days of the Midwest seem to multiply as 31 days in January plus 28 in February equal 500 million.
But hope lies in the knowledge that seasons DO change. March DOES come in like a lion, and I will once again roar.
So I focus on hope and do what works for me:
- As much light as possible
- When the sun DOES shine, I stand in it
- Extra portions of the supplement Saint John’s Wort
- Extra exercise, especially walking which releases endorphins. On cold days, you can find me walking around the perimeter of Target or Wal-Mart.
- Plenty of self-care, homemade soups and comfort food like blueberry muffins
- Coffee chats with friends
- Reminding myself creative energy WILL return – in March
- Staying in gratitude. Every day, finding some reason to say, “Thank you, God.”
And if the SAD gloomies persist, curl up with a good book and a heavy blanket.
©2019 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
If you also suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder, curl up with Hope Shines until March.
God has definitely made all things good in His time. Rejoicing that you’ve been proactive to find helpful responses to the sadness. Re: “heavy” blankets, I’ve heard that some people find relief from weighted (as in truly heavy) blankets. Sounds like the old-fashioned heavy quilts we used to have when I was a kid.
I’ve heard about those, too. Reminds me of how we used to swaddle our babies in warm comfort.
P.S. I love what you’ve done with your website. Your header and new photo are beautiful! And I must admit, I’m grateful to see the advertisements are gone.
Thanks !
Hi RJ,
Yes, many people suffer from it here in northwest PA too. My sister brought it to my attention as she suffered from it, and bought a sunlamp to encourage herself. We get little sun here in the winter.
Sending you lots of warmth and wishing you more sunshine in February to make the days go faster.
Love, Amy xx
Thanks, Amy. I keep as many lights on as possible – to stimulate sunshine. And I am looking into sunlamps.
I relate to the day-count arithmetic for those two months. The practices are useful, My swims at the Y help. . BTW, this Feb pretend it’s March (creative energies) for whatever Oklahoma project you’re on! 🙂
Good advice, Jerry. And yes – it does help to read some amazing words !