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.

  • cheese_greater@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    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

    • StupidBrotherInLaw@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      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.

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        10 months ago

        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

        • garbagebagel@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          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 :(

    • PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      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?

      • cheese_greater@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        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

        • PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works
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          10 months ago

          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.