I have a kind of general, low-grade depression but it takes a complete nose-dive from late October onwards. Only this year, talking it over with a doctor who bothered to listen (one of the first ever) did it dawn on me that I was talking Seasonal Affective Disorder.
"Ah, the winter blues", people say. If they say it to me one more time, they'll find how blue I can be with a hatchet! lol. It is soul-sucking and life-crippling; it feels like my spirit is being slurped down a plug-hole, I feel like I'm ceasing to exist.
What has really helped me this year, is
a) Realizing that it is a thing that is happening to me - in previous years, I've just felt like death without knowing why
b) Increasing the % of carbs I eat in my diet
c) Getting out into the daylight for at least half an hour every day for a walk. I hate ice and snow, so I look a sight when I go out - wintertrax on my shoes, I take an old lady shopping trolley for a bit of balance - but I go.
d) If it really is impossible, I do some hard housework, anything to keep the blood pumping a bit and to stop the couch having so much domination over me.
e) Acknowledging that some days, it really is a blankets over the head day, and I allow myself to do - well, not very much really
f) Acknowledging that when I'm like this, The Most Important thing is controlling it - I won't be an effective worker or just a human being if I don't. So for example, this past week there have been 3 non-compulsory, out of hours staff Dinners/Lunches - and I've sent apologies. No reasons, just enough info not to to cost others money.
Does any of that help? Either way, have a