Alaska winter for people who have chronic depression (Hope, Susitna: living in, cost of)

[DannyL]

Well, all I can say after years and years of BS'ing myself is that I've learnerd that "life is just an attitude".
If you're down on life and down on others....life will be down on you. If you're pi$$ed off all the time,,,,life will pi$$ on you.
I've said it before and I'll stick by it. To survive some of the conditions here the most important thing is for you to be comfortable in your own skin. The rest you will work out.
(hell, maybe I'm just crazy anyway...lol)

[lyoness]

Originally Posted by lookinnorthwest

I also started taking vitamin supplements and Omega - 3 Fish oil gel caps. I am taking about 4000mg a day (edit) I feel that Omega - 3 is a HUGE factor in my well being nad strongly suggest that people look into it. Make sure that your choice includes high values of DHA & EPA the real active parts for your mental issues.

I'm a believer in herbal and natural remedies, I would have never thought of Omega 3's. Great tip! I know a lot of people can be deficient in minerals and it will also affect the mood. Taking a multivitamin with minerals (generic store brand is the same as the expensive ones) will help without trying to figure out which vitamin or mineral you might be deficient in (great tip from my Dr.) It really inproved my energy level, which is a huge issue for people with thyroid problems.

[Parsec01]

Get an AeroGarden.

It's a self-contained "aeroponic" garden in which you can easily grow lettuce, herbs, and cherry tomatoes. It has full-spectrum lights that keep plants growing...and prevent S.A.D. I'm sure it would help with the dark winters.

From what I've heard, it actually does work (quite well, in fact).

Home Of The AeroGarden From AeroGrow International :: 1-800-476-9669

[warptman]

Don't need drugs, just enjoy the winter naturally. It's all in your mind.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by warptman

Don't need drugs, just enjoy the winter naturally. It's all in your mind.

I agree. There are a lot of nice things about winter in Alaska. For example, all the tourists finally go home. Now we can play in relative peace. Winter is also the second prettiest season in Alaska, second only to Autumn. The hoar-frost and glistening snow in the moonlight makes everything look pristine.

[citycrawler]

Depression can be a problem in Alaska. You might want to check into blue light therapy. Usually a light box does the trick.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Rance

I call BS. Sure some might be mentally incapable of living here. I've lived here all my life and still have no trouble getting through a winter. Matter of fact I love winter here. Maybe I'm the crazy one?
regardless of the time of year...a person needs to get off the couch and outside doing something. I've worked nights for the last 20 years and have no problem sleeping during the day either. One's attitude toward life in general also plays a role. I was in the Army for 6 years in this great state. I'm no wimp either! Don't think that has anything to do with it. Just get out and enjoy the beauty this state has to offer.

Not for the first time, and probably not the last either, I tend to agree with Rance, mostly because of one little thing, probably a small thing, miniscule actually, a detail that doesn't quite add up. I too am a former Jarhead (this is not a derogatory term if you were/are one. And.....Seldomly have I seen any Jarhead spell "Corps" any other way, yes, tis pronounced "core" , this is not a common mistake among vets. True the Corps tends to draw from both ends of the spectrum, in my training platoon on the Island, out of 60 recruits, 1 had an IQ in the 170's and another in the 60's, suspect each of us could spell Marine Corps, not a mistake the Drill Instructors would overlook. (they can be quite persuasive)

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by kimling

Anyone with personal experience or knowledge please share.Please no scary exaggerated stories!

I know some folks said a lot of stuff that will work fine, but I will tell you what I recommended for friends here that have the same issues with depression in the Winter.

Light or the lack of are a main issue that affects a lot of people here, many don't even realize that is the problem.

Since the cost of lighting is a bit high now days, get some of the newer low watt high output bulbs and put them on timers around the house, leave them on when you go to bed to turn off about at half hour or so after you go to bed. Just the lights coming from under the closed door will help some. Have the lights in the bedroom come on about an hour before your alarm goes off, you may be asleep, but your mind will see the light though your closed eyelids and feel like sunrise in you dreams. Sounds a bit corny, but it really works.

Try to plan your outside time during the short days so that you get to be in the light instead of after five or six in the evening when it is dark outside in the middle of winter November though mid March.

Going out in the evenings and watch the stars and Northern Lights, or at least look for them away from the city lights helps too. Build a campfire and enjoy the heat and light from it, just watching the sparks rise into the night sky is soothing in it's own right.

The worse thing you can do is sit down and hide from the winter, the term is "Cabin Fever" and that applies to just winter boredom for not doing anything and having a "Forty foot stare in a ten foot room"....

If you are going to be in the bigger cities, then go to the malls and walk around, even Fairbanks has some smaller ones and other big stores just to go and look, leave the checkbook at home so you won't go broke though!

You can also join gym's, do night skiing, swim (a lot of towns in Alaska have a city/school pool), join hobby clubs, learn to paint which requires a lot of light, but most of all, don't do "nothing", that will eat at you like a cancer.

Good luck and hope you have a good handle on life now!!!

[Crossfire600]

How about one of these.. they work for me during the winters down here and I am depending on it to get me through the winters up there!

2007 Arctic Cat Crossfire 1000 Sno Pro Snowmobiles

Did I mention they are a blast! Will be in Anchorage at the end of October!! WOO HOOO LET HER SNOW

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by Crossfire600

How about one of these.. they work for me during the winters down here and I am depending on it to get me through the winters up there!

2007 Arctic Cat Crossfire 1000 Sno Pro Snowmobiles

Did I mention they are a blast! Will be in Anchorage at the end of October!! WOO HOOO LET HER SNOW

Naw, too old to be out trying to kill myself anymore...

One of these does just fine.... Wide track (20"), 660 CC with a four stroke engine that is quiet and rides two like a Cadillac! Not to mention I can haul a lot of freight with it!