I’m scared to go home to portland weather..

I left Portland, Oregon right after the worst snow storm we have had in the past 30 years. I’m not exaggerating. I went to Texas where it was sunny every day. I am now in Florida where has mostly been sunny every day.  My mom just told me it’s cold and rainy in Portland and that the city is dealing with floods. Great. Just great. I’m actually worried about myself. I can intellectually know there is nothing I can do about the weather, but what I intellectually know and what my brain does are two very different things.

I have to prepare myself for the weather. What can I do? I have a seasonal affective disorder Health Card from my treatment system and that helps so, so much. I remember exactly what it says. My worst times for SAD are between 4-7. These are the dark hours – when I feel it shouldn’t be dark! Dark is for 8PM! I will start right now and make sure I have a plan for those hours for the next two weeks after I get back.  I can go to the gym at 4 which will help me be in a better mood in the evening. I can make sure my weekend nights are planned. I can do that now – I can just call people!

My whole point is to tell myself that I have choices to get ready for the dark weather and I have to start them now.  Hey! I just heard from my mom that the rain has stopped! I am lucky.

Julie

I’m in Florida

What a wonderful place with wonderful weather. I am certainly having a good time. My mood is stable and I look forward to each day. This has to do with the friends I’m visiting and … the weather. I leave next week and I’m literally dreading going back to dreary Portland, Oregon. It’s really a problem.

It’s not only seasonal affective disorder, it’s the gloom of it getting dark at three when I have to work on my own. Does this make sense? I will not leave Portland as its charms far outweigh my dislike of the weather, but I have to follow my own ideas and get ready for the inevitable. I just put a SAD article on the blog- you can read it a few entries below. I will follow what it says!

I’m actually teaching a class on how to prevent and manage SAD when I get back to Portland. So that will help.

Julie

 Hi, I’m currently in Texas where it is sunny. I wrote the blog below before I left.  Oh! It can be so hard to live in the Pacific Northwest where it often gets dark at 4PM!

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 Hello! Here is a link to a PDF file of my article on managing seasonal affective disorder.  As I write this- it’s 4PM here in Portland, Oregon and it’s basically getting dark outside. I miss the sun! Feel free to share this file with anyone you feel would be interested.  And let’s have a depression free winter!  Here is the link- you can click on it and save the article to your computer.

http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/blogpics/sad_article.pdf

Julie

oh yes, the dark weather has started here in Portland, Oregon. I am getting ready for the winter depression way ahead of time. I have found that preparation for symptoms is the best way to prevent symptoms!  Here are some tips:

What is your worst time of the day when the weather is dark? It’s around 4-7 for me. So… here is what I do:

Make sure I work in the morning when it’s light so that I have something fun scheduled at that time. I can have coffee with a friend (decaf of course!) or I can go see a movie. Yes, the theather is dark, but seeing a comedy is often a great antedote to the outside gloom.

- Exercise during your worst hours. This is often right after work for many people. Gyms have very bright lights and that helps. This is also a great time to schedule a walk with a friend.  You can get into the habit now.

I will do tips throughout the year. I have about five months of this to look forward to!

Julie