Seasonal affective disorder

Sounds horrid doesn't it? Back here we mean Winter Blues. Why? Cause it gets so blimey dark.

Mental problems are not a very popular topic, but this one is an exception. Everyone's talking about it around this time of the year. At coffee breaks, with the family, in shops and among colleagues. We have to talk about it cause it affects nearly the whole nation.

Sounds crazy? Well imagine yourself driving to work in the morning and it's dark. The same happens in the afternoon while driving back. If you work indoors, you won't catch any sunlight during the week. If you're lucky, it might peek down on weekends. Before snowfall darkness feels really dark and that's not due in weeks. Meantime sun rises later and later every morning and sets earlier every afternoon.

How do we cope? We fight back!

A funny article made me realize how easily our way to face this time of year makes us feel even worse. A sigh comes out every time we look out the window. We give in to tiredness and slowly begin neglecting our own wellbeing. That's why I've come up with my own survival list.

1. Darkness is a good excuse to burn candles. Some people enjoy this time of the year, so I might give it a try and stop waiting for it all to be over.
2. Bright colors are allowed even though it's not summer. I'm investing on juicy colored nail polishes.
3. Friends are essential, just like laughter and good stories.
4. My girl Florence



I know it's dog days. But my singalong goes dark days.
5. Sports. My goodness how gyms, pilates groups, swimming pools and the lot are packed when we turn to November. And boy when the snow finally comes you can't go more hard core than skiing.
6. Spicy food. When it gets cold and dark outside get some fire in your mouth.. and belly.
7. Smiling is hard if you don't feel like it. But sometimes little bit of forcing is good for ya. At work I've realized that it spreads. Someone just has to lead the way.
8. Focusing on good things in your life. I should be a lot more grateful than I remember to be.
9. Light therapy. Philips I thank thee for building my loyal bright light lamp.

The New York Times on Light Therapy