12mo ago

The transition from the holiday season back to the normal drudgery is so depressing. Is there any way to make Jan / Feb less depressing?

like, it's still dark at 5pm, there are barely any sports on, still bitterly cold and austere and it hurts to go outside, but you're not even looking forward to christmas or the new year. the new year is here, and it's largely the same as last year. except you're getting older.

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Re:depression/ing
Highly recommend bright light therapy the moment you wake up or at the desired wakeup time. I can't imagine what it must be like for those unaware of these things, the darkness would have me on the brink
Imma do a second "dose" right now, the alternative reality makes me shudder
- Adding onto this, I recommend a sunrise alarm. I wake up at 5 am every morning and it makes the transition from sleep much jarring.
  
  I wear a sleep mask so it never really helped me all that much even though I have one and experimented with it. I'll never dispose of it but it more or less collects dust
  
  Interesting! Do you find the mask makes a big difference? I just read about them and was giving it some thought.
  
  Hell ya. Can't sleep without it
  
  Just wanted to report back that you have changed my life. I sleep like a goddamn baby with my new sleep mask. Thanks!
  
  Glad its working for ya. I always thought it was strange how much emphasis is placed on having a hermetically-sealed dark room for sleep when its like, just get a good sleeping mask and literally rest your eyes
  
  I tried the sleep mask and earplugs because that's what they say helps but sleep me just takes it all off cause I have some weird sensory issues. I need some blackout curtains :(
- Can you elaborate? I’ve seen these, I’ve seen what they’re “supposed” to do, but can you explain from your personal POV how it helps you, if that makes sense?
  
  It does a few things but it basically entrains your circadian rhythms that mediate wakefulness and sleep. I'm no scientist but they are helpful for both insomnia and depression (particularly SAD) and I find it to be an indispensible part of my morning routine in waking me up and orienting me and fixing my sleep to a proper schedule.
  And the light is important in the winter anyway because of the dreariness and darkness but I can't justify why
  
  Thank you! It sounds like one of these would be very helpful for me. I’m a night owl who works in a 9-5 world, and waking up in the morning is a huge mix of depression and anxiety even if I’ve gotten 6-7 hours of sleep or so.
  
  Dude, try it. They sometimes have em at Costco or you can get the glasses if you want freedom of movement while using it
  
  Oh nice! Did you talk to a doctor about it or anything first, or did you just decide to give it a go one day and liked the results?
- So many times this. I love my light box. It keeps me sane.

85 comments