Monday, we meet again

[hils]

I'm noticing it's starting to get darker earlier and lighter later. When my alarm went off this morning it was still completely dark outside. It's almost 5:30pm now and I'm going to need to turn a light on in a minute because it's getting too dark to see my keyboard.

I don't like it. This means the SAD symptoms are going to kick in at any moment and I really don't need seasonal depression on top of general anxiety over *gestures at the world*. I might invest in a SAD lamp. I've looked at them a few times over the years but never committed. I think this year might be the year I need it most. I remember them being a bit pricey but since I'm not going anywhere or doing anything I can probably afford to splash out. If anyone has any recommendations let me know. I quite like the idea of the alarm clock that simulates sunrise and sunset but I don't know how effective that is over a lamp that just blasts you with light.

And speaking of purchases my Bose headphones arrived on Saturday. I was already regretting spending so much on a set of headphones but everyone who told me how comfortable they are was not exaggerating. They don't press against my glasses at all and they noise cancelling works great! I am definitely going to get a lot of use out of them. I wore them for a few hours on Saturday and didn't need to take them off or reposition my glasses at all. Definitely glad I bought them.

Had fun streaming at the weekend although my internet was playing up which was annoying. We managed to muddle through everything though. Importantly we finally finished My Strange Friend which was a relief to all concerned. We vowed as a group to never speak of it again. We've chosen another Yibo show to start on Saturday and I am confident that no matter how bad it is it will not be as bad as My Strange Friend.

We're also nearly at the end of Reboot. We have 4 episodes left so we're going to watch two on Saturday, two on Sunday and probably then also start The Mystic Nine on Sunday.

Having not watched any Love and Redemption since Friday I am looking forward to watching more this evening. Even with all the anger it caused I am still very much enjoying it.

And, after months of not reading anything but fic, I have finally started the Guardian novel. madamoisellebon suggested we read it together to stop us both procrastinating and somehow from there it's turned into a book club where there are 4 of us all reading it at the same time. I love it when things just come together like that. I've read 2 chapters so far and it's a lot of fun. Already quite different to the show but similar enough that I know what's going on. I suspect that will change later.

Comments

[clevermanka]

I hope the lamp helps. Seasonal depression isn't something anybody needs ever, but especially right now.

[hils]

Yep, definitely!

Hope you're doing okay as well <3

[bemused_writer]

I've only recently learned about SAD lamps and I am very tempted to get one as well. Such a cool invention.

[hils]

I've ordered one and it'll be here tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on

[bemused_writer]

Thanks! Definitely curious about the results.

[solo]

You might also want to look into getting full-spectrum light bulbs for your ordinary lights, it makes a huge difference!

[hils]

Ooh that's a good idea. I'll look into it!

[naye]

We have a light wake-up alarm and it's SO NICE, but it's not really the same as a SAD lamp. (But so nice to wake to gentle light in the dark rather than a blaring alarm, like...I would never go back, I love my dawn light so much.)

What helps SAD is blasting your eyes - and through them the light-sensitive part of your brain - with light, so you need to sit really close to the lamp (20-30 cm) for a period of time each day. Skuld did their postdoc in circadian rhythms and read up on stuff when I was looking for a SAD lamp and basically as long as it's real bright and you follow the instructions you should be good.

I've got a slightly different model of this Philips lamp which I find nice and portable and bought because there weren't any other SAD lamps in stock at the time. I didn't need it for long the last time I was using it, which is a pretty good endorsement?

[hils]

Ooh! This is really helpful thank you!

I ordered a dawn lamp today and I'll get a SAD lamp for my desk on Friday when I get paid :D

[naye]

You will NEVER regret having a dawn light! I got it as a treat to us when Skuld moved to Sweden in December (I'd moved in October and also I'm from here) and we needed something to make our days less dismal. It worked wonders! I actually wake from the light rather than the (very gentle) alarm sound, and not having the bedroom pitch black makes things more bearable.

Having a SAD lamp on your desk is a good plan! They are very bright, so you'll only need (and want) it on for a bit.

[hils]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the advice!