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2010-11-05 6:46 AM

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Master
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Just South of Boston
Subject: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
As I get older, I've noticed the coming season of the 'dark/dark' (dark when I leave in the AM, dark when I get home) drags me down energy & outlook wise more each year. Its not a serious depression or even a mild one, but just seems to dull my usual get-up-and-go persona. I find resisting the temptation to just roll over and sleep in (as opposed to getting up to do my ususal AM training) is harder this time of year. Any suggestions on dealing with this? Just HTFU? I realize the time is no different, but the lack of actually seeing the sun is a real drag.


2010-11-05 7:04 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Extreme Veteran
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, Virginia
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I hear you, and if your location is correct and you are in MA, then it does get dark really early up there. The one positive I had when I lived up there is that the mornings did come a little sooner than those further west in the time zone. Watching the sun come up on a frosty day was pretty cool. But it is hard to get out of bed sometimes.
2010-11-05 7:29 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Extreme Veteran
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I'm with you.  The dark/dark situation sucks.  Can you adjust your work schedule such that you can spend a good 30-60 minutes outside (or at least in the sun) when the sun is out?  I think a lack of sunlight  (or outside aweness as the Germans term it) is bad for a person.  I believe Germany has an emplyment law that every employee has to have some kind of "outside awareness" in their job. 
2010-11-05 7:33 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Champion
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Is it possible to bike commute?  Even if you are commuting in the darkness each way, at least you are outside.  I try to bike commute at least one day a week throughout the year and always feel worse on the weeks that I am not able to get at least one ride in.

Shane
2010-11-05 7:49 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Veteran
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Lakeville, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Try taking vitamin D3 in the winter months. For those of us that live in the north, we don't get enough sun in the winter months and not enough of this vitamin. It really helps!
2010-11-05 8:03 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Extreme Veteran
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Seattle
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
A quick flight to the Caribbean!

I think these must be factored into the cost of living somewhere up north. 


2010-11-05 8:08 AM
in reply to: #3196501

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Master
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Just South of Boston
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Lilac J - 2010-11-05 8:03 AM A quick flight to the Caribbean!

I think these must be factored into the cost of living somewhere up north. 


LOL -- this is already planned for February. Maybe I need a good 14 week plan to get me through to then
2010-11-05 8:12 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I work 4 10 hour so I won't see daylight on those days if I don't do something so I have adjusted my schedule so that I can run for 30 minutes 2-3 days a week.  I am really appreciating that time and think it will make a big difference.  Of course, I also spend the other 1-3 days of my off days outside all day skiing which helps as well. 
2010-11-05 9:01 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Mike_D - 2010-11-05 7:46 AM As I get older, I've noticed the coming season of the 'dark/dark' (dark when I leave in the AM, dark when I get home) drags me down energy & outlook wise more each year. Its not a serious depression or even a mild one, but just seems to dull my usual get-up-and-go persona. I find resisting the temptation to just roll over and sleep in (as opposed to getting up to do my ususal AM training) is harder this time of year. Any suggestions on dealing with this? Just HTFU? I realize the time is no different, but the lack of actually seeing the sun is a real drag.


I've found 20-30 minutes in front of a sunlamp a few days a week to be very very helpful.
2010-11-05 9:02 AM
in reply to: #3196519

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Champion
10018
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs

I hear you.  Can you get outside for a short run during the day?  Bonus that you don't even get very sweaty if you dress correctly and little bit of sunshine will do you well.  If you're an office worker it's easy to just stay inside all day.  Worse if you're not by a window!

2010-11-05 9:04 AM
in reply to: #3196516

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Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Mike_D - 2010-11-05 10:08 AM
Lilac J - 2010-11-05 8:03 AM A quick flight to the Caribbean!

I think these must be factored into the cost of living somewhere up north. 


LOL -- this is already planned for February. Maybe I need a good 14 week plan to get me through to then


This is how my wife and I are dealing with it.  We are going on a cruise at the end of Jan out of Ft Lauderdale so we signed up for the Miami Half Marathon that goes the morning of the cruise departure and setup a training schedule from now until then. 



2010-11-05 9:13 AM
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Regular
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
This is the beginning of my first winter training.... So far I only got out of bed 2 times this week for my a.m. training...I DREAD the cold, especially riding my bike.  And I know that it will just get colder (right now it ranges 20-30 degrees F) I am going to have to restructure my bike time to the weekends and running at lunch, then I think I'll do insanity in the comfort of my living room and swim in the evenings...

good luck to you OP!  at least you have the caribbean to look forward to!!
2010-11-05 9:27 AM
in reply to: #3196386

Member
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Bloomington
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I share your pain! I am typically the obnoxious "up and at em" one of the family, and right now I am not quite so full of pep in the dark cold am's. 
I set my work out gear right by my bed so I can pull it on super quick and then I am committed!
Tougher days ahead though - its only early Nov right now! Keep a big picture of a beach in your basement or wherever your inside gear is!
I'm jealous! 
2010-11-05 10:59 AM
in reply to: #3196668

Master
5557
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, California
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
This has bothered me more as I've gotten older.  One of these days I may have to move and join the BT crew down in Arizona
2010-11-05 11:04 AM
in reply to: #3196386

Iron Donkey
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, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs

We all know a lot of the bad physical effects of the sun -
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/subjects/sunsafety/healtheffects/index.htm

and there's some information regarding how it effects our moods (watch out for the pop-up) -
http://www.studyworld.com/newsite/reportessay/science/Physical%5CThe_Amount_of_Sun_People_Receive_Affects_Their_Mood-34342.htm

The thing that keeps me energized is knowing that I have a couple of sons in basketball and I help coach, which keeps me busy and provides some exercise (I run the sprints and drills along with them).

I have a dog that misses me during the day and longs for my attention when I get home.  I need to get him out, too, so that he can get some exercise, so I take him out for walks.  It keeps us in check.

Try to stay as positive as possible and stay focused.

Good luck.

2010-11-05 11:11 AM
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Pro
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MA
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Try "self-prescribe sun therapy". 

If possible, try to workout during the middle of the day.  Would your work schedule allow you to take a lunch time run? 
If not, take a couple of walk breaks during day light hours. 

Take advantage of the weekends and make sure you spend some time outside, especially when the sun is out. 

Just seeing the sun (natural light) a short time helps a lot.


2010-11-05 1:26 PM
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Pro
4828
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The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
A couple of winters ago , I bought myself one of these:


http://www.litebook.com/?s=gaw&kw=lightbook&gclid=CIL85semiqUCFdwc5wod4glENg




Makes a huge difference IMHO. Try it!

Edited by aquagirl 2010-11-05 1:27 PM
2010-11-05 5:26 PM
in reply to: #3196386

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Master
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I battle this also but find that if I just get out the door, getting my workout started makes all of the difference.   Once I'm out there, I find my "happy place" and the endorphins help my whole day.

To get my butt out of bed, I set my clothes out the night before and set an alarm.  I like the lunchtime run idea, though, that would get you some sunlight.  I can't schedule that with regularity, so its morning or nothing for me.

Edited by Mrs. brown_dog_us 2010-11-05 5:29 PM
2010-11-05 5:35 PM
in reply to: #3196386

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I moved to Tucson.
2010-11-05 6:08 PM
in reply to: #3196386

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Expert
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Lost in the Evergreens
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
 I know this sounds crazy, but get a heated mattress pad.  It will help your muscles stay warm from the bottom up.  Without giving the night that 'it's to hot to sleep' feeling.
2010-11-06 7:46 AM
in reply to: #3196386

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Master
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I hear ya. Driving around on a sunny, fall afternoon, I get a bit depressed thinking that, "Soon I'll be running on these dark, icy streets." During the winter, I do make an effort to go to a window, stand there, and soak it all in, when I notice that the sun is out. We can go weeks without seeing it here in West Michigan. It's always a treat to run on a sunny, weekend day in winter.

That light in a previous post is intriguing. Too bad it's $200.


2010-11-06 8:03 AM
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Subject: ...
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2010-11-06 1:34 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs

aquagirl - 2010-11-05 12:26 PM A couple of winters ago , I bought myself one of these:


http://www.litebook.com/?s=gaw&kw=lightbook&gclid=CIL85semiqUCFdwc5wod4glENg




Makes a huge difference IMHO. Try it!

 

x2, plus Vitamin D as well!  We probably paid too much for our Litebook, but I've heard the price is decent at Costco...

2010-11-06 2:30 PM
in reply to: #3196386


301
100100100
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
Make sure to get outside during lunch every day. My husband used to work at a University complete connected by tunnels with a basement office. If he wasn't careful, he could from Monday-Friday without ever seeing the sun. During that time, we ate out a little more frequently at lunch just so he would get outside.

Now, we freeze an ice skating rink on the lake in our backyard. We're out there during daylight when we can. The sun and fresh air seem to fix thes winter duldrums up here in MN.
2010-11-06 2:49 PM
in reply to: #3196386

Master
1929
100050010010010010025
Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Overcoming the 'dark/dark' winter blahs
I think the light therapy is a great idea.

I remember hearing about a "Happy Light" on a podcast and apparently that is actually a brand name of one as well.

Try not to get cooped up too much.

-eric 
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