This year has been different than previous years. For one thing I started crying over every little thing around the second week in August. That is the earliest it has ever reared up. It took me maybe a week to figure out that it was SAD making me, well, sad.
The second thing that is different is this year the symptoms are more physical than before. I am totally beat. I feel like I could sleep all day and all night. As a matter of fact, it is 1 pm and I am barely awake. If I were to lay down I assure my dear reader I would be asleep with in moments.
I saw my doctor and all that. I also ordered one of those light boxes. Holy cow, that thing is bright. I have it next to my bed positioned above my pillows. I have it on a timer. When the thing turns on I am instantly awake. Since I always stretch for 20 minutes before I get up the timer just wakes me up and I do my thing. The first minute or two are really hard to open my eyes. The light is too bright. But then my pupils adjust and I start looking around. After I stretch I check my phone for messages. I try to stretch my time under the light out as long as possible.
I had read differing amounts of time to sit under the light. Somewhere around 40 minutes seems like the most I can take in one sitting. I can not tell if it is working. I am so pooped right now. Maybe I would not even be leaving my bedroom if it were not for the light. I do not know. Yesterday I used the light mid-day for a half-hour while I read. Supposedly it can stave off the midday groggies too. Frankly, I skeptical. My doctor said "it seems like voodoo, I know," but he uses one too.
Last night I slept maybe a hair better, so that's an improvement.
With all this sleeping one would think I have no time to do anything else. Actually, it has been really hard to walk my dogs or go out to paddle. I still have my schedule but am having a hard time sticking to it. Still, I managed to take a few photos as I went about my days:
Indy |
Tor and James settling in for the night |
It is almost cool enough to sit on the deck. The mosquitos are still out though. |
My girl friend needs her hair cut! |
These next four photos are from Friday evening. Bob, Deke, and I paddled out of Belle Haven over to Old Town Alexandria and then the National Harbor. It was a nice 8.5 mile trip as the sun sank low. Great way to end the week.
Saturday I went out with Deke again. This time we paddled with a mixed group of surf skis, stand up paddle boards, and just Deke and me in regular ol' kayaks. I only took pictures of us leaving Tim's Rivershore because we were playing in the waves and I did not really have a chance to let go of my paddle. I did not want to be "greeting the fishes."
Monday was our boys 6th birthday. James brought home party hats and we put them on the boys for a few moments. Kona was all about eating them. I felt a little sad, knowing they are most likely half-way through their lives now. They are so much a part of our everyday life.
And with that thought, I am going to put on running clothes and head outside with them. I am hoping I am done being pinned down by the SAD, at least for today.
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