Schmoopy Much? On Seasonal Affective Disorder

When I was younger, every January my mom would take me to the doctor and have me screened for some illness. She did so because,

a) I would sleep given any opportunity

b) I was incredibly schmoopy/pissy/cranky/foul

c) I looked like poop.

The looking like poop thing couldn’t be helped – I don’t think there is anyone on the planet who looks their best in January. As for the other concerns, somewhere along the line we figured out I suffered from SAD, seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder is a kind of depression that takes place during a certain time of year…winter. It is generally first noticed in the teen years, and more often than not, affects females. Symptoms of SAD include,

* A sense of hopelessness. “We are never ever going to see the sun again. Like, never.”

* Increased appetite with weight gain. “I will feel better if I eat this pound sized bag of Doritos.”

* Increased sleep. “Just wake me when it’s Springtime.”

* Loss of interest in activities. “I just want to watch Law and Order. And no,  I have NOT already seen this episode 5 times!”

*Unhappiness and irritability. “What do you want?! Jeez! Can’t you see I’m watching Law and Order?)

* Sluggishness.  “Did I just spill my ice cream, or am I starting to leave a trail?”

For me, once I knew what it was, and figured out that it occurred cyclically I felt tremendously better. Once I was aware of the deal I could be proactive. I started exercising regularly, and as much as possible, outside, to maximize my exposure to the sun. I haven’t had to deal with a serious case of the Seasonal Schmoops since I was in my 20′s. When I feel it coming on I exercise a little more, and focus on all that is right in my life – and I do my Julie Andrews thing and count a few of my favorite things.

So, excluding the givens of family, friends and my little dog, here, for your consideration, is my very own personal list of little things that make me tremendously happy, even in the winter time…

• Orange juice

• Being the first person to use the just cleaned toilet at the gym

• Sir Mix-A-Lot singing, “I like big butts, and I cannot lie…”

• When strangers say hi

• My soul rock

• Car seat heaters

• The Washington Post

• Eating ice cream with my teeny-tiny spoon

• Music from the Big Chill Soundtrack

• Reruns of The Carol Burnett Show

• The bell on my bicycle

• My pink flamingo

• Peeling an orange in one piece

• My ceramic chicken 

• Whistling

• Tervis tumblers

• Jammies

• Blowing bubbles the size of my head

• Happy hour
  

• Cows

• So if you’re feeling a little “under the weather,” (ha-ha…get it? Under the weather? ) sit down and make a list of a few of the things in your life that, for whatever reason, make you smile. (I have no idea why I get such a big kick out of some of these, but I do. They just make my world a better place…EVEN in the winter.) And for those of you in the northeast who just got hammered by this latest storm, if, like me,  you’re not a big fan of snow/cold/ice/sleeting rain (seriously, how can people actually like that stuff?)  know that you have my utmost and deepest sympathy. And in your honor I am breaking out in song right now…

***Do you guys ever experience the “Seasonal Schmoops” in winter? What is your remedy? What makes you smile even on the dreariest of winter days?