Last few years before - looking forward to anything else?

[Escort Rider]

Originally Posted by Drift Away

Had gotten to feeling like I was nearing the end of my prison sentence at work, dreaming of all the things I would do in retirement, and getting really frustrated in the process. It occurred to me that there was nothing stopping me from doing some of the stuff right now that I dreamed of in retirement, so I bought a kayak, started yoga classes, signed up for a painting class, just trying to be more satisfied in a situation I can do nothing about.............

Of course it makes sense not to wait for retirement to do enjoyable stuff outside of the workplace. Your examples (kayaking, going to yoga, taking a class) are excellent, and good for you. But what I find amazing is that you decided rather late in the game to start doing those things. Why wouldn't you have devoted an entire lifetime to pursuits like those that you find interesting and enjoyable? To me, it goes without saying that we have hobbies and interests outside of the workplace. How could it be otherwise, unless one is working 70 or 80-hour weeks? I don't get the mind-set that everything must wait for retirement, and I'm glad for your sake that you broke away from that mind-set, even if somewhat late in the game.

Yes, I do realize that some people's careers preclude anything else. I have a cousin who's a top lawyer, and his workload is so demanding and overwhelming that there is no more room. He does go on "vacations", but when he is at the beach (for example) he is still on his cell phone, on his laptop conducting business. He makes big money, and living that way is his choice. It wouldn't be my choice, and I doubt it's the situation of very many people posting in this thread.

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by meo92953

As for SAD, last year my doctor had me take a blood test for vitamin d & I was dangerously low. She put me on a high dosage & it helped tremendously. I now take it on cloudy days but come winter I will be taking it every day.

The same thing happened to me a couple of years back. I was getting one respiratory infection after another, joint aches, and mood was on the low side for no obvious reason. My doctor checked my Vitamin D level which was something like 10, with normal low range should be around 30. After a couple of weeks of prescribed high dose Vitamin D I felt like a new woman physically and mentally. My doctor said low D seems to be epidemic in northern states that have short summers and long winters which lends to less direct sun exposure where we get the bulk of our Vitamin D compared to those living in the south. For me who is still working which is indoor in a windowless office and pretty much only getting sun exposure on the weekends I have to take the supplement year round to maintain a normal level.

PS My doctor is a character, and when she gave me the Vitamin D prescription she also gave me a 2nd prescription to give to my husband which read Caribbean cruise x 1 week prn

[Rebek56]

Originally Posted by Nightengale212

PS My doctor is a character, and when she gave me the Vitamin D prescription she also gave me a 2nd prescription to give to my husband which read Caribbean cruise x 1 week prn

I like your doctor!

[ansible90]

Originally Posted by Nightengale212

The same thing happened to me a couple of years back. I was getting one respiratory infection after another, joint aches, and mood was on the low side for no obvious reason. My doctor checked my Vitamin D level which was something like 10, with normal low range should be around 30. After a couple of weeks of prescribed high dose Vitamin D I felt like a new woman physically and mentally. My doctor said low D seems to be epidemic in northern states that have short summers and long winters which lends to less direct sun exposure where we get the bulk of our Vitamin D compared to those living in the south. For me who is still working which is indoor in a windowless office and pretty much only getting sun exposure on the weekends I have to take the supplement year round to maintain a normal level.

PS My doctor is a character, and when she gave me the Vitamin D prescription she also gave me a 2nd prescription to give to my husband which read Caribbean cruise x 1 week prn

Another thing about vitamin D is that as we get older, our bodies don't manufacture as much, even if we get enough sunlight. It also helps to keep your bones strong.