Their sunset is November 21 and sunrise January 21, which they celebrate by getting together in an office at the top of the building, having a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise, and then immediately set again. This happens at noon. They tell me that if they have a year without snow, the doctors are overwhelmed by people suffering from depressions and the suicide rate is raising.
SAD, winterdepression, as SAD is aptly named here, sure is a thing, but it is actually worse in February, when you've used up all the stored up energy, but there's still at least one month of dark murkiness to get through before Spring is here.
We have a couple of methods for fighting winterdepressions: Vitamin D, going outside at least once a day no matter the weather, hygge with candles, good indoor lightening, cakes - lots of cakes, and not least humour
Pertaining to the last coping mechanism. I like this drawing:
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| Drawn by this guy 🌱 |
Love that cartoon. And am a bit afraid to admit how often I suffer from SAD - and seek no treatment for it.
SvarSletNeither do I - but this year I GOT to clean out my seed storage crates ;)
SletJeg er simpelthen så udmattet at jeg ikke engang orker tænke på havearbejde - heldigvis ikke deprimeret, så måske humor er vejen frem.
SvarSletStyakkels dig. Jeg har fået ... second breath ... hvad det så end hedder på dansk. Så lige nu laver jeg faktisk andet end at sidde her foran computeren :) Humor er kur for mange ting, og ham tegneremn er fin til have-realateret humor, fløg linket på hans side til en FB side Der er mange guldkorn dér.
SletYes, i would think planning your garden would at least give you something to look forward to. A blessed and beautiful Happy New Year to all of you!
SvarSletI remember learning that my dad was depressed in late winter each year - it was a surprise to me as I had not lived at home for years and wasn't aware of it. He had no treatment for it until after his stroke, when he was prescribed an antidepressant for his state of mind due to losing the use of the left side of his body. In a way, it was one good thing that came of that stroke - his seasonal depression was considerably better. (The only other good thing was that we became much closer and I valued that very much.) What I set out to say was that he looked forward to planting his garden, too - I think that's one thing that kept him going each winter. So I can relate to the cartoon even though it's mainly through his experience.
SvarSletYour point about going out at least once a day is also intriguing - even here, in winter, I have to force myself to go out if I've been home bound for a few days - and then I wonder why I was reluctant because it's not bad when you dress properly and the fresh air feels to much better than being inside.
Thank you for answering my question so thoroughly, MotherOwl!
Yes lots of low key depressions were not, and are not, treated. In many cases daylight, exercise, sleeping and eating "on a scedule" work as well, or maybe even better than medication, as it has no unwanted side effects. But what a good thing that you and your father became closer, not leaast thanks to small pills :)
SletI like writing, and as I'm a teacher born and bred, answering questions makes me happy ;) Thank you for honest questions, Jenny-O
that should say "so much better" not "to much better", of course
SvarSletThank you. As a non-naive some typos can really put me off. I starl looking for strange sayings or hiddden meanings instead of plain old typos. Some days ago I read about "A clam in the storm" and started wondering about shellfish, holding thight etc, when all I should have done, was interchanging L and A :)
SletHehe - and then I did it: Non-naive should of course be non-native.
SletHa ha! I have puzzled over strange typos, too!
SletA clam in the storm - funny typo :)
Love that cartoon too! And must admit I often suffer from SAD - and we have by far less short days here in Slovenia than you in Denmark. I simply can not imagine I could survive a winter in Denmark :-( My treatment for it is also regular walking in fields and forests, enough sleep, socializing with friends and - natural dyeing.
SvarSletSeeds, fresh air and natural dyeing are antidotes to almost anything. And a cup of tea, cake and family perfects the cure.
Slet