Seasonal Blahs Got You Down?
Dear Friend,
Every year around this time, I notice a pattern with my coaching clients. Once November hits, everyone seems to be dealing with a similar challenge. And that challenge can best be described as "The Blahs."
 It's not that things are falling apart, but stress and overwhelm are kicking in for what seems like no particular reason. More than anything, people are feeling tired, bored, and just kinda "blah."
Over the years I've come to observe - both professionally and personally - that this inexplicable blah feeling is a result of the seasons changing.
While it's not quite the same in all parts of the country (or the world), many of us find that the game of life changes in November. The days are much, much shorter. Here in New York, November is always a gray month. Sunny days are in short supply. And the air is colder for most of us, too. (In fact, my "mother-in-law" in Texas commented that it would be cool there when we visit her for Thanksgiving...at 75 degrees Fahrenheit!)
These changes in our environments can have big effects on our moods. And while not all of us suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression often brought on by winter), adults with ADD are more neurologically sensitive than most. Don't be surprised if you find that less daylight and colder temperatures take a greater toll on you than on those around you.
The loss of daylight hours alone is enough to make an ADDer feel sluggish, tired, and moody. In other words: blah.
Don't worry too much, though, because slowing down in fall and winter is actually quite normal and natural, just as it's natural to feel more energy in the spring and summer. Rather than beating yourself up over feeling "blah," why not give yourself permission to slow down a bit?
Don't push yourself. If you don't feel up to going out as much, or taking on too many projects, that's okay. Honor your natural energy levels.
Get some extra sleep. If you find yourself getting tired earlier in the evening, take advantage of it! Humans, like all animals, are programmed to take our cues from nature. So when the sun goes down early, it's natural to want to sleep a bit more.
Find a cozy hobby. You don't have to succumb to boredom in winter. Compile a winter reading list, take up a new art or craft, or learn a new skill. (Now is a great time to learn how to cook, or improve your cooking skills!) Find ways to indulge a more subtle need for stimulation.
Of course, there are a few adults with ADD who may also suffer from Season Affective Disorder, or from depression. If at any point you find yourself wanting to sleep all the time, if you feel extreme sadness, or if you have a general feeling of hopelessness, then please talk to your doctor. These are signs that you may actually be depressed, and not just feeling the seasonal "blahs."
For most of us, however, the seasonal blahs will visit us every year around this time. Instead of pushing yourself to be "productive" and beating yourself up because you're not getting as much done as you were a month ago, try taking the pressure off. These seasonal blahs won't last forever!
How do you manage the seasonal blahs? Tell us! Please share your thoughts on my blog at: http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/11/adults-with-adh.html#comments
Feel Like Curling Up with a Good Book?
If you haven't picked up a copy of my book Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD, then there's no time like the present! Visit http://www.odd-one-out.net to get your copy today.
One Final Note...
I take a lot of pride in being an authentic coach who openly shares my own personal challenges and successes. This was probably never more true than this week, when I blogged - in great detail - about withdrawing from Lexapro.
If you'd like to read the post, titled An Uncensored Account of My Experience with SSRI Withdrawal, then I invite you to take a look at it here: http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/11/an-uncensored-a.html
One note of caution, however: It truly is an "uncensored" account. If you're easily offended, then it's probably best to skip this post.
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