I truly intended for my first blog of 2022 to be exhilarating and light-hearted. You’ve probably surmised from the title that what you are about to read, if you choose to, is emotionally heavy and surely doesn’t reflect that intention. At the keyboard, my fingers took over in response to a compelling need to reach out to provide awareness, validation and resources. You or someone you know might benefit so I encourage you to keep reading. After responding to phone calls the last few days from those needing extra support, I think my fingers were on the right track.
I’m not a health practitioner. I don’t have a medical degree or anything resembling a scientific background. As a professional organizer, particularly one that specializes in working with populations who day to day navigate in and through:
- ADHD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Asperberger’s
- Perfectionism
- Substance Abuse
- and a host of other physical and mental health difficulties
my senses are on continuous alert for cues. Cues that indicate that the organizing isn’t going to be cut and dried. “Where does this go?” “Should I keep it or recycle it?” Oh no, not at all. This time of year, my internal alarm system seems to be on overdrive. Why?
Days are short, darkness is long. In this part of the country, the Pacific Northwest, we have returned to a more typical wintry pattern after years of winter sunshine and drought that have led to spectacularly horrific wildfires. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely grateful to the rain that nourishes our bodies, gardens, animals. Replenishes our aquifers and waterways. Drenching rains that keep the fires at bay. However, owing to the constant gray, drizzle to downpours, and occasional icy roads that have made my walks prohibitively dangerous, I can feel the heaviness that several of my clients have related to me.
Are you experiencing to-do lists that keep getting longer while the will to tackle any tasks is too tough to summon? One of my clients told me she was too sad to do much of anything. Turning on the news, pandemic isolation, job uncertainty, social turmoil including family disagreements, and the lack of service and product availability have intensified emotional rollercoasters or plunges.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide”, “women are affected by depression more than men”, and “approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression.”* It’s conceivable that those numbers are increasing as we continue experience societal, economic, and pandemic turbulence. Depression may be chronic; cyclical due to hormonal fluctuations or other causes; situational such as post-partum depression; and it can be seasonal as in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is the reason why this time of year, the shorter days and longer hours of darkness, the cold, the isolation, the treacherous conditions outdoors, could lead to feelings of:
- Down moods
- Lack of interest in many or most things
- Sleeping pattern changes such as insomnia or extended sleep
- Difficulty arising
- Lethargy
- Little to no motivation
- Weight fluctuations
- Feelings of low or no self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence or guilt
- Inattentiveness or inability to retain focus
- Thoughts of suicide.
Then spring arrives. We finally see sunshine. The temperatures warm. Outdoor exploration and exercise are more appealing. Social interaction is easier, even if it’s a wave to folks out on strolls. The connection can provide us with feelings of comfort enabling a release of pent up isolation. The sense of darkness lifts and dissolves away. Most of the time, the transition happens without noticing. The winter doldroms eventually become a distant and unwelcome memory.
- If you’ve been experiencing moods and feelings that are either out of the ordinary or customary yet unpleasant
- Can’t motivate yourself to do your professional projects or household tasks
- Are unable to focus on completing routine activities
- Experiencing relationship, self-worth, or social interaction difficulties
- Unable to keep up with personal finance management
- Notice that use of mind-altering substances has increased or eating patterns have shifted
- Sleep is just not happening or you’re oversleeping to the point of distress
Then reach out to a medical practitioner for help. Start with your family physician or OB-Gyn for a place to start if you don’t know where to turn. They may be able to assist with an accurate diagnosis of SAD or other condition. The symptomology I mentioned may be due to a type of depression or it could be related to or resulting from a physical or another psychiatric condition. A diagnosis could save you from a rabbit hole that doesn’t lead to relief.
Your doctor may prescribe medication, behavioral modification techniques, full spectrum lights, and new medical advances are happening every day. If you see a naturopath, they might recommend alternatives such as homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture, mindfulness techniques, meditation, yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong. I find that essential oils such as sweet orange or mint oil can rev my brain a bit, enough to get the wheels turning when the gears are locking down. Lavender oil can help with calming if things get amped beyond comfort. Also eating a mix of comfort foods dosed with proteins and vegetables might elevate energy levels. Too many carbs and sugary foods can cause mental and physical crashes overstraining an already overburdened system.
I’m not suggesting that any of the alternatives are a quick fix or fix at all for SAD or other depressive disorders. Sometimes our well-care toolkit needs a host of balanced remedies to run smoothly much like a car needs fuel, transmission fluid, oil, wiper fluid, etc. to operate. The better the substance quality, the higher the performance. Talk with your provider before embarking on any new regimen to avoid taking anything that is counterindicated.
If you need help finding a mental health professional, you can locate via zip code or city therapists, treatment centers and support groups at PsychologyToday.com. If budget is a concern, lower cost options are available through the Open Path Collective. Note whether the individual or practice are accepting new patients and if they take insurance. Many do not which is why starting with your general practitioner who is often covered by insurance is a wise place to begin. Mental Health America also has a list of directories for mental health services for specific populations and specialized treatments along with crisis hotlines. They also provide steps for living a mentally healthier life.
There is no shame in seeking mental health services. You are not alone. If you’re not sure if you’re teetering on the edge, Mental Health America offers this Stress Screener assessment. And, if you could better, more energetically, more completely, more successfully, isn’t that worth a try? If you believe that you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) can put you into contact with your local crisis center that can tell you where to seek immediate help in your area.
The good news is that we have about 2 months to get through before signs of spring begin appearing. Each day there is less dark and more light. In the meantime, investing in full spectrum lightbulbs that simulate natural sunlight. Do your research because not all full-spectrum lights are beneficial in providing the light our bodies need. LED lights may not be as effective as incandescent, but I’m not an authority on lighting.
Finally, if your organizing project is at a standstill and you think you would benefit by having someone to coach you through, be accountable to, and guide you toward success, feel free to reach out to ThePracticalSort.com. No judging, some laughter, and sustainable skill-building is what to expect. Here’s a little beauty from a spring walk last year to hold you until spring 2022…
*https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
