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The days are getting shorter - have you noticed? M

The days are getting shorter - have you noticed? Mid-summer here in Michigan gives us 15 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. We are now at 12 hours and 52 minutes of daylight, and by December, it will be only 9:02!

Just like trees, those of us with SAD are very sensitive to changes in the environment. With trees, as days start get shorter and there is less sunlight, it’s a signal for the leaf to stop making chlorophyll and prep for winter. The green color starts to fade and the colors show through. It’s beautiful to see the change in the trees, but it can be hard to experience a drop in certain levels of chemicals in our own bodies. Without sunlight, Vitamin D levels often drop, along with other changes in body chemistry.

For me, this is the time of year I get a blood panel to check for deficiencies that might easily be solved by supplements. And for almost all of us living in the north, it’s time to start popping that Vitamin D!

#fallishere #seasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #winterblues #leaveschanging #vitamind #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #winteringwell

There will be a few weeks in the end of January or

There will be a few weeks in the end of January or beginning of February where I will ask myself, “Why do we live here?” Answering myself now, and saving this post to refer back to😉

1. Swimming in waterfalls
2. Killer sunsets
3. Swimming under the Mighty Mac and in (at the same time!) 2 of the Great Lakes
4. Mornings on the lake
5. River adventures
6. Water like the Caribbean
7. The best people
8. Untouched land and dunes
9. Fireflies and Petoskey stones
10. Hidden gems

What’s on your mid-winter why-do-we-live-here-again list? Share in the comments to add to the list!

#michigan #michiganlife #lakelife #greatlakes #puremichigan #gratitude #michigansummer #winteringwell #seasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #outdoortherapy #naturetherapy

A chokeberry bush I saw yesterday, a reminder that

A chokeberry bush I saw yesterday, a reminder that the season will soon be changing. Leaves already changing in July? I don’t want to think about it, not yet!

But I can’t help noticing the shorter days already too. Summer is wonderful but it can’t last forever. Soaking up these fleeting days!

#seasonaldepression #fightseasonaldepression #summertime #falliscoming #winteriscoming #winteringwell #michigansummer #chokeberry #leaveschanging

Ok Michigan, more rain. The forecast says it will

Ok Michigan, more rain. The forecast says it will be pretty consistent for the next week!

The thing with “seasonal” depression is that it can come back no matter what season it is if there’s a lack of light. Cloudy days or days spent mostly indoors (especially in darker spaces) can have a negative effect.

On days like this, I find wearing color that mimics the sun or light can help. Maybe it tricks my mind into thinking there’s some sun. Lately I’ve added more yellow and orange into my wardrobe, and our house too. But I’ve wondered, why exactly does this help?

After a little research I found there’s an actual branch of study called Color Psychology (is this new to you too?) that is all about discoveries and observations about the psychology of color and the effect it has on moods, feelings, and behaviors. It’s used mostly for marketing or branding purposes but I am enjoying personally applying it to home design and personal care.

And while I’ve never doubted the effect yellows, oranges, and bright pinks have on me, it’s cool to now understand a little more of the why!

For more in color psychology, see link in bio…or just google it 😉

#colortherapy #colorpsychology #addcolor #yellow #orange #createyourownsunshine #rothys #winteringwell #seasonaldepression #fightseasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #fightseasonaldepression #depression #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #rainyday #rainydayoutfit #rainydayvibes #hellosunshine

Happy summer solstice and longest day of the year,

Happy summer solstice and longest day of the year, one day late! Yesterday was the actual first day of summer. But here in Michigan, it was chilly, cloudy, and (in my definition) cold - so I completely missed it. I actually had to pull out my winter coat when I went outside for a walk in the evening, so summer was the last thing on my mind!

Today is another cooler day, but it’s nice to remember it IS only the start of summer and that these few cooler days will be followed by plenty of warmth and sunshine.

Hope you are enjoying some sunshine today - it’s officially summer! ☀️☀️We did get to enjoy some amazing weather the last few weeks ⬆️ so I really can’t complain :)

#happysummer #summersoltice #summertime #summerishere #seasonaldepression #winteringwell #winterwellness #summerwellness #seasonalaffectivedisorder #

“Sound has the ability to change the atmosphere

“Sound has the ability to change the atmosphere at home dramatically. So, turning a grey day into a great day is only a touch of a button away.” - IKEA wall

So true. Ira agrees too 😉

On a rainy or grey day, music can change the entire atmosphere and mood inside a home. I turn to music all the time on harder days, sometimes choosing a kind I can simply relate too in a lower mood, other times choosing a kind that will lift me out.

What are your favorite bands or tunes you turn to on a rough day? Would love to hear your favorites! ⤵️

Thanks for the reminder @ikea !

#musictherapy #rainyday #ikea #ikeadetroit #seasonaldepression #fightseasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #winterdepression #winteringwell #mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #musicheals

The sun is out earlier, and so am I. ☀️ Many

The sun is out earlier, and so am I. ☀️

Many people with SAD feel the need to sleep significantly more in the winter than summer. In the winter, I need a good 8 hours (and ideally more) but in the summer, it’s as little as 5 (and sometimes even less). With way less sleep, my energy level and mood are still both so much higher. Summer mania or hypomania (less severe) are really common in people with winter depression - I’ll post more about this soon.

I love these days of early mornings full of light and energy. Even if there is still some frost on the ground here in Michigan May! But the sun quickly burns it off as the days are getting warmer and the sun is shining longer. 💛

I’m curious for those of you who feel lower in the winter - do you notice a significant change in your sleep patterns during different seasons?

#seasonaldepression #fightseasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #winterdepression #winteringwell #winterwellness #summermania #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #sunshine

Now this is some snow I can get excited about! #

Now this is some snow I can get excited about!

#snowingpetals #petalsnow #aprilshowersbringmayflowers #hellospring #winteringwell #outdoortherapy #naturetherapy #winteringwell #seasonaldepression #fightseasonaldepression #seasonalaffectivedisorder #fightseasonalaffectivedisorder #springishere #michiganblooms

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