Being a small business owner means you have to wear many hats: bookkeeper, marketer, sales manager, chief bottle
washer etc.. It’s hard keeping all the balls in the air. But if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, January and February can be a real struggle.
I know, because I have SAD too. This means in the winter months, as the days get shorter and the sun is less bright, functioning at all can be a real struggle. And while my inclination may be to hibernate in bed for the next two months, my business can’t survive that.
Over the past few years I’ve learned some survival techniques to help me get through to the spring. If you also suffer from SAD I hope they’ll help you. And even if you’re only struggling with a bit of the winter blahs some of these tips may perk you up as well.
First of all, I make sure I’m taking all my vitamins and supplements daily. In the summer I’m not so vigilant and in fact don’t take my vitamin D at all because I’m getting enough from the sun. But as soon as fall rolls around I make sure I don’t skip a day, because if I do things go downhill fast. I take Vitamin D, B vitamins and a herbal mood boosting supplement recommended by my Naturopath. Check with your health care provider about what you need.
Second, I unscrew the fluorescent lightbulb on my desk and insert a “blues Buster” lightbulb that mimics the light from the sun. I’ve been told fluorescent lights make SAD worse. It seems to help.
Third, I have marked my calendar to start using my Happy Lite in the mornings. This is a special light specifically designed for treating seasonal affective disorder. I know, you’d think I’d just start using it when I start feeling run down, but I’ve learned that I need a little external reminder. So my electronic calendar one day in November pops up a message reminding me to start using the darn thing.
Fourth, I make a point of planning meetings out of the office. Even if it’s just meeting a friend for coffee, getting me outside seems to really make a difference.
Fifth, I really try to force myself to get some exercise. This time of the year I really don’t want to leave my bed, never mind the house. But planning fitness activities with friends and family forces me to do what’s good for me. If it’s something like tobogganing, I probably end up having a good laugh as well as some exercise.
And finally, I try to give myself a break. If I have a day where I don’t get as much done as I think I should, I try to let it go. I try to focus on what I have achieved, and recognize that this time of year it’s hard for me. Notice I’ve used the word “try” several times in this paragraph? It is a don’t know you succeed.
So, if you find getting through the winter months the struggle like I do, please know you’re not alone. And before we know it the days will be longer, the snow will be gone and the tulips will be poking their heads out of the ground. And then we’ll start feeling normal again.
Andrea J Stenberg
PS. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder where the winter blues, leave a comment and share your tips for surviving till spring.
