Day 329 - SAD

Many people eat and sleep slightly more in winter and dislike the dark mornings and short days. This is known as 'winter blues’. Others have more severe symptoms which such as sleep problems, withdrawal, overeating, depression, anxiety and lethargy. These often lead to difficulties at home, work and in relationships. This is a recognised problem known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is caused by the lack of bright light in winter. Light entering our eyes stimulates our brain to control our daily rhythms through hormone production. In some people, the low levels of light in winter are insufficient to regulate the hormones that affect our waking up and sleeping, our feeling energised or depressed

I immediately thought about my son Mark who is bipolar and not well at the moment so I feel sad when his manic becomes depression due to the dark morning s and evening.  November is always his worst month and fortunately he has been to his doctor and is on more medication and signed off from work until Dec 3rd

Not good photos but taken from a video 2 yrs ago when his many friends (away) clubbed together for a sad lamp for his 40th birthday. It was a real surprise for him, asthey had sent it to me and he opened it at a family party at an italian restaurant

An awful wet day here so I am not cooking again but scrapping. I spent morning with our handyman/plumber doing jobs and the TV man from Switchover (For over 70's) here for the 4th time.  We cannot get a good signal with our new topbox and he recommends freesat and a dish...which we did not want!! Peter is in London with his footie friend who supports Brentford. He has rung me wishing he was at home as it is pouring with rain there too!!

Re 10 for sleepover, NOT here LOL!! The 2 girls (my late friend Sue's daughters) and husband and fiancee are going to sleep at Carol's bungalow as she is away fro 27th. My college friends and husbands will sleep her, one couple on a blow up bed in lounge:) Have booked pub for 6 the following Sat night cos the youngsters will go back to London on 29th (I hope!!)