Friday, November 12, 2010

SAD, don't you know it......

I apologize for not being an active blog participant recently, blogging friends and followers. It’s not that I don’t care about what is going on in your worlds; I do! Rest assured, I am keeping up with what's going on with you and I appreciate the comments you have made on my previous posts. The lack of daylight messes with me. My focus recently is, once I get home, getting into my pajamas and eating any carb that is within reach. You see, I suffer with SAD.

I never quite understood what happened to me during winter months. I would sleep away weekends and when I wasn’t sleeping I was eating. I did not want to socialize. I did not want to think. My Husband read an article about SAD 20 years ago, and based on that article I started making some changes to my usual routine that helped alleviate some of the symptoms. One of the biggest factors that contributes to sluggishness is lack of sunlight. It's dark when you get up and it's dark when you drive home. My office furniture is arranged so that I look out the window while I work at my computer, allowing me to soak up as much daylight as possible. My Husband bought me a blue light a few years back and I use it in the dead of winter when it's still dark outside in the morning, while I am blow drying my hair. I used to have it on while I was putting on my make up, but I found that the blue tinge it projected on my skin made for interesting make up application. :-) Taking vitamin D has helped a lot. But, without a doubt, once again riding has been the biggest help in keeping me well.

I didn’t realize the how much of a positive impact riding had on dealing with SAD until My Husband mentioned it. Two years ago, when I started my riding lessons, my personal test was if I could make it through a winter; if I could push myself to go to my two lessons a week (one evening, one early morning) when it was cold and dark and snowing, then riding was for me. My school horse, GM, was not very fond of me, or any student for that matter. She would have been a convenient excuse to cancel. But I didn’t. Even when I was injured and couldn’t ride, I still attended the lessons. Riding had drawn me in and I was addicted. I persevered through the winter months. I started to feel better and more energized as winter progressed. I still had some down days, but they were no longer the norm. After surviving that first winter, I started looking for my own horse.

Last winter was my first with Gem. Unless it was too cold, I held to the routine of riding him three times a week. Being outside with him, getting exercise, socializing and having FUN was good for body and soul; my winter was not so bleak. I do not see sleeping away another winter in my future. I am already getting adjusted to the recent time change and I know that I will feel better very soon. I am so glad that I found the best prescription ever for SAD - Gem!!

12 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear that you have SAD it must be awful to deal with. But it's good that you've found a few ways to counteract the symptoms. The blue light (even with interesting make up applications) sounds good. Gem is the near perfect antidote I'm sure. It's amazing how the horses in our lives help us get through our darkest hours isn't it?

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  2. Horses and dogs are ridiculously good for my (mild, I admit) SAD. I HAVE to get up and walk the dogs in the early morning-after work, same thing-laying on the couch is so not relaxing when all those eyes are pleading with you to go outside:)

    Same with Miles-I hate skipping even one day at the barn (although it's occassionally necessary), let alone 2 in a row. Animals are the best:)

    I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! I always look forward to the Winter Solstice in December-just knowing the days get longer after that is good for the psyche:)

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  3. I'm just the opposite in some ways -- I mean I love the grey days of winter but it's the hibernation I'm drawn to that can take a toll on me. How lucky we are to be able to count on this creature that is the horse to pull us out of ourselves. I hope you feel better soon, Wolfie!

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  4. "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a (hu)man," truer words were never said.

    I feel your pain, I am chronically/clinically depressed anyway so winter hits me like a ton of bricks. Seeing my horses is the highlight of my day, every day, it's amazing how much better I feel after seeing them.

    Keep up the light therapy, get out to see your Gem as much as you can, and remember you aren't alone.

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  5. {HUGS} So sorry to hear you suffer from SAD. And so glad to hear you've found the perfect remedy! My pet hate about winter, or more to the point when it even hints at getting cold is Reynaud's -- my fingers go white and numb & I can't even fasten my helmet. But it'll take more than that to keep me away from horses. They're just fantastic, aren't they?
    Take care xxx

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  6. I don't think what I have is severe enough to be called SAD, but horses changed my winters. I hated them! Now they breeze by as I ride and play with our horses :)

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  7. Having had to get out to go and see Sam and muck out, deal with him in all weathers,for the last month I have been surprised how despite dreading it before I get there, how much I have enjoyed being outside at this time of year, even when it is tipping with rain and freezing cold. I am sure it has helped my mood cos even without full blown SAD I think we all struggle a bit with being stuck in doors in the gloomy winter months and I think our bodies are just not designed to spend all day in buildings and we need the fresh air etc.

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  8. I've always thought I have SAD, because I could never live somewhere where it was cloudy too often. I get absolutely exhausted without sunshine charging my batteries.

    You're right, horses just lift those gray day blues. Ride on!

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  9. Thanks everyone! I appreciate your support and kind words. I am feeling much better after this weekend - the sun was out and I rode twice. :-)

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  10. I think you're right - the best prescription for the blues, caused by SAD or for any other reason - is to go hang out with your horse. And on those black mornings where it feels like I just can't go on, I do because I know that Silk and Siete need their hay and will welcome me with those sweet little murmurs and nickers. I think that just being with Gem, without any agenda, sharing territory together is so good for your soul. You're lucky to have him.

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  11. I admire you for getting out there and riding in the winter and conquering SAD, not easy in my book! I love the winter weather, the challenges it brings, the warm cozy feeling I associate with it. But as I've gotten older I find I'm a fair-weather rider. When it gets below 35 or above 85 degrees I really don't like to be up on my horse. I still try to ride at least 3 times a week no matter what, to keep my confidence level high, but don't ride as long as I do when the temps are more comfortable. During my "off my horse" days I like to give my horse a good grooming, do some ground work and pretty much fuss over him. We both end the day fulfilled.

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  12. Hey..who doesn't HATE winter and the cold, grey day?! I would beg if you love it..that is a condition of sorts, lol! ;)
    Getting outside and in the sun (when it's able to get thru clouds) with your horse is THE BEST way to get thru winter. :)
    Also-does your sister have a recipe guide to follow for cooking for her dogs? I'd be so interested in it!! Thanks :)
    Email-kristenshellenbarger@gmail.com

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