Dealing with SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder

One of the many disorders that has been in the forefront of the public eye lately is SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

As winter sets in it becomes more reported on to the point of being annoying.

When I was growing up my Mother called it cabin fever. But that was not cool enough so the disorder of SAD was born. It is something that many if not all people suffer from and many have it but don’t know they have it. It effects people in different ways, some more severe than others.

SAD & me

I have had SAD for years. For me it is something that after being stuck inside on the short cold days of winter for a week or more will push me over the edge.

I feel like I am going to go nuts. We wake up in the dark, go to work when it is barely light. Then leave work in the dark and go to bed in the dark.  We go from enjoying the long evenings and feeling the sun’s warmth in the summer and fall. To the cold and dark.

My routine

For many years I have had a routine that I take the dog for a walk twice a day, first thing in the morning and after work.  No matter the season or the weather. For most of the year the sun is just coming up when I am doing my morning walk. Usually the walk starts in the dark and gets brighter and warmer as the sun comes up.  At night in the winter unless I am home by 4 the walk is in the dark. The strange thing is in the winter if there is snow on the ground I like the evening walk as the snow makes it so bright outside.  But even getting out for my two daily walks cannot help to completely over come SAD.  Last winter things got really bad with it being so cold and snowy for so long. 

In the winter when the sun is only up for such a short time it can also be harder to get out to take pictures.  By the time that I get everything done so I can shoot the sun is already going down. So I also loose my outdoor shooting time.

What to do to beat SAD..

This year I decided that I will get out more!  Weekdays are still hard as I am at work till well after dark but even then I decided to do something about it. In order to get out I went out and bought some cold weather gear.  Gear that if it is cold or windy it will allow me to stay out and not cut my walks short.  Also when I am out shooting I can stay out longer and not be cold.

I only had to get two items, as I have a lot of gear.  Already I have a nice jacket that is VERY warm. I have a VERY warm hat with ear muffs if I need them.  I have gloves and mittens although I prefer not to use them. I find just putting my hands in my coat pockets is warmer.  So what did I get?

Boots

I always wear good hiking shoes that have good traction but these boots have amazing traction.  In addition to the traction they are SUPER warm.  They make being outside so much more enjoyable.

Snow Pants

Also I bought a nice pair of snow pants that not only have insulation but they really block the wind.  It keeps my legs warm and toasty and helps my whole body to feel warmer.

Results

So far so good.  I have been able to get out a lot more and have less effects from SAD! AND it’s a lot nicer to shoot now that I am warm and toasty! Less rushing around, more enjoying being out.  So far it is a win win situation!