Living with encephalitis and the after affects

[RED1224]

Does anyone find the winter period really difficult? Each year I dread the long winter months, my mood gets very low, I often get ill and just can not wait for the spring to some. I have a "Lumie lamp" which is great but does anyone have any advise?

[Hidden]

Yes, I know the qinter months are depressing and sometimes it does affect me that way especially when the days are starting to get darker up to the shortest day. The days are still dark but knowing that they are getting lighter each day helps me to look forward to Spring. I hope this helps

[alouh]

Bringing plants and flowers inside

[RED1224 in reply to alouh]

Alouh I do find being around nature and spending time in the garden helps.

[Hidden in reply to RED1224]

Even to just sit in the garden if you have one can be very therapeutic or in the summer sunbathing is really enjoyable and relaxing also having lunch out there or take a picnic to the beach somewhere and watch the people go by and the birds etc.

[RED1224 in reply to Hidden]

These are all things I enjoy it is just remembering to put aside small amounts of time to do them. But when I do go in the garden, listen to the birds is is so rewarding

[Hidden in reply to RED1224]

Yes it's lovely listening to the birds. 😊

[Paula-38]

Hi RED1224, I can totally relate to everything you have said here I would say that I get depressed in the winter but not necessarily ill. However with me being housebound due to my Profound OCD I have to take vitamin D3, ' 1000 International Units 'prescribed by my GP and I take Escitalopram 30mg for my OCD.. What medication do you take? I don't go to bed till between 4 and 5am and wake up around lunchtime so I hardly see much daylight myself. But when we get the shortest day over, I know we can't notice it but I know it starts to get lighter little by little. I wouldn't say I dread the run up to the shortest day but I far from look forward to it though. It does depress me a lot. I used to have Clinical depression to the extreme but at the moment its a cross between mold and moderate it varies you see.

[Paula-38]

Maybe you could buy some house plants with flowers on, or I was going to say a bunch of flowers every now and then so that both you and your wife can enjoy them. I love the smell of them as well. I have a lot of things with floral design on, that cheers me up maybe your wife has some things in the house with that design like curtains etc that might help. I'm glad that we are into British summer time now it seems to motivate me just to see the sun. How about you?

[Marmalade1979]

Try some vitamin D, I’m not sure but I think it’s worth giving it a go. I’m going to get some myself coz I’m like that during winter

[Paula-38 in reply to Marmalade1979]

I certainly recommend it 'after you have had blood tests that show deficiency', then usually the GP would prescribe them.

But don't just go out and buy them like that because you don't know how much you need. If anyone is concerned ask for blood tests first.