6 responses so far ↓

• 1 Kim G Dec 5, 2007

  I have SAD during the winter days in the midwest - it’s been a constant plague in the past few years and I’ve come to dread winter only for that reason. However, this year feels different. The shorter days and lack of sun haven’t been bothering me much. Here’s why I think that is: 1.) 5 months ago, I started doing meditation every morning for 30 minutes. My husband also meditates with me - we do it before our kids wake up. It has been the single most significant thing I have done for myself - ever. My mental to-do list, which had always carried in my head, is pretty much gone. I feel kinder towards myself and the biggest thing of all - I understand how to change my mood because my mood is based on my thoughts. Meditation teaches you how to control your mind. If I feel grumpy when I get up, I think “I will feel cheerful today.” And it works. The meditation program I follow is designed by Blue Mountain Center for Meditation http://www.easwaran.org 2.) I eat almost no sugar. Since I started meditating, I became very aware of how my body felt after I ate certain foods. Eating sugar made me lethargic and grumpy, in some cases. So I’ve pretty well eliminate it from my diet and I have a lot more energy. 3.) Exercise every day. Get outside and walk no matter what the weather is like. 4.) I take a yoga class once per week. It’s a great compliment to meditation.

  Those 4 things have been key. I hope they are still working for me come February when I’m really light deprived!

• 2 Patty Dec 6, 2007

  I am having the most difficult time right now enjoying my life. I was divorced 4 years ago, and I still feel bereft and alone. People tell me to join groups (I am shy and not a jointer), do, do, do, but this depression has taken over my life. I do not like my life as a single at 61 one bit, and have no idea how to feel better about it. Your suggestions are great, but they do not change my life at all. Any help is appreciated!

• 3 CirceNona Dec 6, 2007

  Jennifer,

  I’m always amazed when your writing ends up having double and triple meanings for me. As many know, I’m facing a year of my husband being in Iraq, and doing everything possible to not let the darkness of that situation engulf me. It’d be so easy to lock myself in a very dark closet with my pillow and not come out until he comes back home.

  Instead, I’m gently guiding myself each day to follow my daily routines, be very kind and gentle with myself, pamper myself as needed, cook good food, indulge my senses each day, and most of all to be grateful each day for blessings that I am gifted with.

  Well, irony of ironies, we had almost hurricane force storms blow through Hawaii the past two nights, and guess what? We are now literally in the DARK! I can only laugh at about it at this point, the other option might lead to me being put in a padded cell!

  Starbucks has been my saving grace, I camped out the whole day yesterday with my laptop, kept my cell charged for calls from my sweet husband, chatted not only with others who were escaping power outages, but bumped into my neighbors too. It became an impromptu party!

  I’m back again this morning, just hoping that by sometime this afternoon we have power at home again. Though I’m good at a little camping at home and never forgot my Girl Scout “be Prepared” attitude. Two days is more than enough camping for me thank you!

  A little dark is good, plants relax and let the sap settle into their roots, seeds germinate, compost becomes fertile, animals rest and hibernation can occur, but eventually the light has to return to wake up the sleepy world. Just like the morning after Winter Solstice each year, the Sun does rise, becoming a little brighter each day, bringing forth new growth and abundance that would never have been possible without a the darkness.

  Blessing to you all wonderful Ladies! Diedra

• 4 Colleen Dec 8, 2007

  Patty - I am shy / I am not a joiner either. I found that working at our local shelter as a volunteer (have a full time job in the IT field - fits my personality well!). The dogs speak volumes me to and appreciate so much all the small things I do (taking them for a walk outside of the shelter gives both of us exercise & fresh air and also improves both of our attitudes!). The smallest kindess to them (a pet, a pat, a quick game of fetch, a small treat, etc.) gives me the biggest reward - they have no expectations of me and give unconditional love. I’m also helping to keep them socialized with people so they don’t give up or shrink away, I want them to find their new forever home.

  Maybe looking to help someone (whether it’s animal or human) or volunteering in some way with a group without expectations would help … I’ve also volunteered as a classroom ‘reader’ (listening to a small child read, one on one) for two years - very rewarding!

  I find it easy to be depressed this time of year (weather & darkness) and keep up my walking outisde to make a difference!

• 5 Jennifer Louden Dec 15, 2007

  Thanks all for your great comments! Patty, I find that doing everything I can to change my brain chemistry (see my newsletter suggestions) and connect with people — one on one rather than in groups, sometimes just being in a cafe and writing to be around living humans - helps. You see, when your brain gets depleted from depression, it often can’t get back to its normal functioning on its own - it needs help. Medication can help as well as herbs, exercise, specific yoga poses and most of all yoga breathing etc. I find that giving those practices time really really helps. And also cognitive therapy - on my own or with help.

  May the light shine brighter for us all!

• 6 Jennifer Louden Dec 20, 2007

  From Suzie via Me:

  I’ve been shedding the “old” me since I was divorced 3 years ago. I don’t even know who I am now, or what is going on…does this process always take this long?

  Who is the person who was a horse person? Who is the scientist? These versions are no longer me, and there is no definition of the present me to take their place. I’ve lost my dad and am losing my mom. My grandson is now 13 and more interested in friends than hanging out w. me, which is normal, and i”m glad! However!

  I am no longer interested in riding horses, which has been my “thing” my whole life. I have many horse friends, which I now see very little of, because we went riding together: they still do; I don’t. My work friends, I see occasionally, but I haven’t worked at my old company for 10 years, and they are married guys, so that is very limited! Living in a rural area is a problem, cuz most things that interest me are 30 plus miles away….not insumountable, but not very convenient! Changing houses isn’t in the cards at the moment.

  My father passed away in April, my mother is very ill, and I’ve been going back and forth to Indiana the past 2.5 years to help her with her affairs. Any day now, she will join him. There is the usual sadness, and also multitudes of problems that were dealt with and continue. YOu know the drill. So do most others my age!

  So, here are some things I am doing to take good care of myself in my darker times.

  I exercise: that means walking, weights, stretching, pilates, anything I can think of to move my body.
  Breathing: S. Gawain in Creative Visualization has some good exercises for clearing chakras and they work well for me.
  Reading Wendy Palmer’s book on aikido and beginning to do some centering exercises and taking care of my field.
  Reading any of my books about meditation, your books, camille and lorins’ books.
  Remembering to make a gratitude list as often as possible!
  Re-read for 12 weeks and kept a notebook of morning pages recommended in Julia Cameron’s The Artists Way.
  Playing piano 2-4 hours a day, most days.
  Preparing and giving a piano concert (yes, me, playing 8 songs) to 8 friends, who video’d is for my mom!!! Afterward, I had goodies and wine for them and we chatted for hours!

  this may sound like a lot, but it’s been 3 years!

  Oh, yes, going outside in nature and walking is something I do every day!

  Also, I have taken 2 courses at a community college. Gets me out there to see people of the younger age: huge variety of types of kids, these!

  Oh, yes, now I’m watching my thoughts a lot because they start the downward spiral, which then leads to that icky, depressed, lifeless feeling in my body….

  Well, I do still eat chocolate. Perugina, dark, with almonds.