After Christmas/New Year's Blechs
 

.

I do. It is a holdover from the days when your ancestors were primarily farmers or hunter-gatherers, so in the winter, it was important to slow down and expend less energy while there was less food to be found. Approximately 25% of US adults are affected, lower in areas that get a lot of sunlight and higher in those that don't. Do a search on "Seasonal Affected Disorder" for more information.

So what do you do about it?

1. Light therapy. I suggest a GoLite by Apollo Health. I use mine every day, and it makes a huge difference for me. It sounds cheesy that staring at a light every day would help, but it actually causes hormonal changes in your body. They are $250 online, but only $120 at Costco, and because they are sold in the pharmacy, you don't need a membership AFAIK. Trust me, it will be worth the money if it helps you.

2. Exercise. I know it is even harder than usual to commit yourself when you feel this way, but most people only have to commit to two weeks of working out 3-4 days/week before they find themselves easily in a new routine. I won't go into goal setting and motivation beyond that, you can find that at plenty of sites.

3. Therapy. This is extreme, but you could do a short-term arrangement with a counselor, where you go in setting an 8-10 week limit.

4. Escape to somewhere warm. Got any friends in nicer places? See if you can get away for a weekend trip. Fares are low in January and February, so if you can afford a few hundred to get away, do it.

5. Drugs. More extreme than therapy, but necessary if you are so blue you can not function. Please, use this as a last resort if you can, and be sure you are getting a proper evaluation from a qualified doctor (i.e. some GP's are really well-versed in psychiatrics, but many will prescribe too quickly and too much). Trust me, side effects are not fun, if you can avoid drugs, you should.

Hope you feel better, and feel free to PM me if you need more info. I really stand by 1 & 2 though, as solutions to a lot of things.

I know what you mean about this time of the year. I just don't like it.

I hate the cold, no holidays (for me at least), and after the holidays work gets very busy. Its such a long haul to spring/summer. So I usually just put a lot into work and take time in the summer. We have planned a vacation in april once it starts warming up.

I've booked a trip to Cuba for February. I could use some sunshine. :D

Mr. Pi Phi and I feel the same way. We're planning a trip to Cuba also, but we're looking in March.

Where in Cucba are you heading? I've never been, but my parents went last year to Santa Clara and said they had a great time.

We're going to Varadero. It's the 2nd time for me. I also went on an excursion to Havana and saw the Tropicana show, which I thought was well worth it.

I realize that it's unhealthy to tan, so no judging. But I know that going to a tanning bed on a day when I feel particularly winter-BLAH always helps me. It's a nice, warm, 20-minute nap.

I am always super hot, so when I was freezing today at work I knew something was up. I think if all businesses would close the first week of January then all would be merry with the world! This would give everyone a chance to recuperate after the holidays and get in some relaxing time. I think sometimes with the stress of a new year, or the stress of tying up loose ends before the new year, has something to do with it.