Welcome back to Austen Promises and the Writer’s Journal!
Here we are, at the end of January. Two days ago, I walked around the yard and noted the daffodils beginning to peek their heads out of the ground. Today, there’s something like six inches of snow. Needless to say, I’m unhappy about it, which leads me to this post.
A couple months ago, I wrote about taking care of ourselves, particularly as creative people. I, like many others, am susceptible to seasonal depression, and for the first time ever in my life, I have taken the bull by the horns and dealt with it instead of trying to ignore it, as I have done every other winter.
Here’s what I did, and how successful it’s been for me.
First, I recommitted to spending time with God every single day. Have I been successful? Largely, yes. I still find it impossible to spend that time before I go somewhere, but since I’m at home the majority of the time, I can get it in. For instance, I’ve been a week and a half getting that time in every day. This coming Saturday, I’m going to an RWA meeting, assuming it’s not snowing. So, Saturday, I will not get God time, because I have to leave my house at the butt crack of dawn to get to Cleveland before ten o’clock. However, I will pick it back up on Monday (I count church as God time on Sundays.)
Second, I began taking Vitamin D. Lots of Vitamin D. I started with one small dose, and when it didn’t seem to help, a friend suggested I do some research. Sure enough, I had to take big doses to get it to work. I currently take 2400 IU, 1200 in the morning and 1200 at supper. I was amazed at how well this worked. I feel very good most days, though I still have the down days. Often, I can tell if I have forgotten to take the D at supper. I always make sure I have gotten it in before bed, though.
Thirdly, I bought a diffuser and something like six kinds of essential oils. The diffuser runs via battery or USB. As I type this, it sits on top of the printer to my left, though it’s not currently running. This works pretty well, but not as dramatically as the Vitamin D. Also, the lavender scent, as much as I love it, plays a bit of havoc with my allergies, so I try to limit that one a bit.
Lastly, exercise. This is the one that has not been used much, sadly. As a matter of fact, I’ll even say it’s not been used nearly enough. I have a treadmill and paid for a tv upgrade to whole-home DVR. I have not an excuse in the world for not getting on the thing, and yet, I don’t. sigh
In general, I can report that this has been the best winter season for me in years. Has it all been sunshine and roses? No. I have had hours and even days where I was paralyzed with depression. However, I now have a list of things that I can do to lift me out of it. I have trained myself to stop and think about that list instead of wallowing in my misery. It has made for a much easier and more productive season. 🙂
Come back next Wednesday for another peek into my journal! <3
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