I know many people just go to the pool, no matter what, they don't give themselves a choice, but I've succumbed to bad case of blues. Swimming always has been my salvation for depression, but now I am finding it very hard to get out of the house to get to the pool.
I know "inertia begets inertia" (I read that once); thus I just gotta get myself to the pool. Anyone out there have any ways they trick their minds/bodies when it feels like the world is made of cement? Drugs aren't the answer for me; been there, done them. Swimming really has been an incredible help. I have swim goals: I'm not accomplishing them due to the incredible pull of my cozy bed and evening "house" clothes.
Just out of curiosity, what latitude are you at? We are past the summer solstice now, and the light is dying--the further north you go, the more this effect is exaggerated. My friend with SAD lived in Minnesota, and it seemed his blues would often start around this time of the year, and improve in the spring. I wonder if George's greater enthusiasm for swimming in Mexico as opposed to Canada might have something to do with the winter light in these respective locales...
They do make full spectrum light bulbs that could conceivably help. I agree with Mr. Aquageek on the usefulness of seeing a doctor, though not all doctors are created equal in this regard.
When you're depressed, and least motivated to do anything, that's when you need to summon your inner reserves and make yourself do it. I really do think swimming not only restokes these inner reserves but teaches us that we have them. Think about it: how many sports are there where, even when we are in the absolute best and happiest mental state conceivable, we need to summon endurance in the face of pain? If you can race a 1650 free, a 200 fly, or even a hard 100 of any stroke, you know how to handle pain!
Babbling a bit here, I know, but as much as you can, I suggest viewing this temporary episode in your life as an endurance event that you have the wherewithal to finish with miminal whimpering. Just as with swimming a hard race, concentrate on your stroke and pace and anything else that can help distract you from the pain per se--and let you reach the finish line with quickness and grace!
Just out of curiosity, what latitude are you at? We are past the summer solstice now, and the light is dying--the further north you go, the more this effect is exaggerated. My friend with SAD lived in Minnesota, and it seemed his blues would often start around this time of the year, and improve in the spring. I wonder if George's greater enthusiasm for swimming in Mexico as opposed to Canada might have something to do with the winter light in these respective locales...
They do make full spectrum light bulbs that could conceivably help. I agree with Mr. Aquageek on the usefulness of seeing a doctor, though not all doctors are created equal in this regard.
When you're depressed, and least motivated to do anything, that's when you need to summon your inner reserves and make yourself do it. I really do think swimming not only restokes these inner reserves but teaches us that we have them. Think about it: how many sports are there where, even when we are in the absolute best and happiest mental state conceivable, we need to summon endurance in the face of pain? If you can race a 1650 free, a 200 fly, or even a hard 100 of any stroke, you know how to handle pain!
Babbling a bit here, I know, but as much as you can, I suggest viewing this temporary episode in your life as an endurance event that you have the wherewithal to finish with miminal whimpering. Just as with swimming a hard race, concentrate on your stroke and pace and anything else that can help distract you from the pain per se--and let you reach the finish line with quickness and grace!
