SAD this Winter?

Last night the wife, the wife's lover and I were watching music TV and Rock DJ by Robbie Williams came on, and we were talking about the demise of his career and how the condition SAD could have been a contributing factor. SAD - seasonal affective disorder - in it's worst form affects 7% of the UK population each winter according to SADA. Another 17% are mildly affected by what is more appropriately deemed 'winter blues', and unfortunately I think I may be one of them. I've never been diagnosed but it's not too hard to understand; less light = less cheeriness for me. I certainly don't find it to be a debilitating condition and I function fairly normally, except for getting upset by small things, finding myself wanting to cry for no reason and generally feeling low in confidence and happiness. Some years it has manifested itself worse than during other years, probably coinciding with another factor in my life that has got me down.

Thankfully this year my fabulous friends have allowed me a bedroom in our shared house with a large bay window which should allow the light in, what there is of it. And I am far more optimistic about this coming winter as I generally feel happier in myself at the moment and have a good feeling about the next few months. It does scare me that my mood might become uncontrollable - in that I can't force myself to not be glum - and the control is something I think I have worked at since I was very young and most of the time seems to work. I have a lot of things to look forward to this winter as well as things that always make me happy, and I need to make sure I remember these things, so I will just pop them on a list so I can always look back at this and think right, cheer up!

• having all my friends around means never a dull moment
• it's the last year of uni - make the most of it
• all being well - going to Madrid for LB's 21st
• lots of other birthday nights
• hopefully a trip to New York January 2010
• having a job therefore having money to play with
• being able to wear all those comfy winter clothes, big boots, snuggly scarves and hats
• Christmas with all the family
• buying presents for people
• lots of nights out including Warehouse Project nights
• the X Factor runs right up until Christmas! Then usually Dancing On Ice starts!

Well, that's a good start. It's always good to be prepared! Come on winter, come and have a go, I'm ready for you.