Despite the horrid name, I am hoping this will actually be a very happy project. Here's some background:

So apparently I suffer from at least some degree of what is commonly known as SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder. As I research, I am learning that there is a difference between actual seasonal affective disorder and just the "winter blahs". 

The pattern I have noticed is that beginning around September and lasting until roughly March/April, I become uncomfortably close to morphing into an actual bear preparing for hibernation. Starting in early fall, my appetite gets out of control (at the best of times I like to eat, but during the colder months my body seems to think it needs to pack on extra layers of fat for the "lean times" ahead). I also begin doing a lot of sleeping. While I am fine at my job, the minute I get home and the sun goes down, I have great difficulty staying awake. There are nights when it is literally difficult for me to stay up past 7:30 - 8:00. I lose interest in doing anything social during the winter, and resent anything (outside of my job) that takes me away from the cozy comfort of my home, even things I would find thrilling at any other time of year. While I am normally a pretty active person (biking, hiking, running, and hitting the gym), all activity tends to drop off during the fall and winter. Suddenly going to the gym or for a short run feels like torture, and when I do go I really have to drag myself through it.

Now personally, I am fine with most of the symptoms (I don't mind being more of a homebody and a hermit during the winter; I DO mind putting on the weight, though). But since I realize I don't live in a bubble and know that my symptoms affect my relationship with those around me (primarily my husband and two sons), I've decided to take action to try to have a "better" winter season this year. Thus the birth of the S.A.D. project.

I hate that the acronym for this disorder is "SAD", so I've decided to change what the letters stand for. For the purposes of this project, S.A.D will stand for pSyched About Discovery! (I know; I cheated a little with the "S", but since it's my project, I can do what I want.) The next eight months and however-many days will be devoted to discovery. Discovery of ways to minimize the effects of my seasonal affective disorder, discovery of resources available to me, and discovery of what I can do when I put my mind to it. No idea is too absurd for me to try. The purpose of this project is to see what works for me, and to possibly come up with some strategies that may also help others.

The Plan:

I want my plan to address the three main aspects of my life most affected by S.A.D.: my social life, my physical health, and my spiritual well-being. With these goals in mind, for the next 8 months and however-many days (ending on May 1, 2015) I will:

- engage in some sort of physical activity for at least 30 minutes at least 5 days/week. (This is to keep a strong body and counteract the lethargy and overeating that the winter months seem to bring for me. I know 30 minutes doesn't seem like much, but I can always do more. I'm a teacher, so once fall hits, my schedule gets a lot busier. Right now it's important to me to establish goals that I will be able to maintain even when life becomes more hectic.)

- engage in some sort of social activity at least twice a month. (This is to fight against my tendency to isolate during the winter.)

- engage in some sort of creative activity at least once a week. This can be as simple as writing a poem or doing a sketch, as long as it is something creative. (To feed my spirit.)

- do a gratitude meditation daily for a minimum of 10 minutes. (To keep me grateful and feed my spirit.)

- under the guidance of my physician, experiment with various therapies/medications believed to be helpful in treating seasonal affective disorder. I'm not at all averse to taking medication and, in fact, have been taking Lexipro for mild anxiety for some years now. 

Why not a year?

I know, I know; most people who do this sort of project go for a year. A year is a nice tidy unit of time. I have chosen to go for 8 months instead because:

1) My SAD symptoms really only affect me during the fall and winter

2) May 1 is my birthday, so it will be fun to be able to celebrate my success (assuming I'm successful) on that day.

3) Year shmear.

So here goes! I am about to embark on a path of discovery to see if I can more effectively manage my symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder! (If my next post isn't until May, it can be assumed that my plan failed!)