Every winter for probably the last 10 years or so I've run into a difficult pattern of mood, fatigue and concentration, depression I suppose, around this time of year.
I think this is not so uncommon, so I'd love to hear from anyone on HN who's found particularly effective ways of dealing with this and keeping life on track over the winter. My goal is not to be happy but simply to be stable enough that I can maintain regular productivity.
Here's what I've tried:
1. Light therapy - easy and somewhat effective, but not super effective
2. Vitamin D supplements - no real difference noticed
3. Vigorous aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week - moderately effective, not super effective
4. Meditation every morning - recent habit, seems to be helping but it's too early to say
5. Cutting down sugar - somewhat effective when I stick to it, often undisciplined
6. Cutting down carbs - same as above
7. SSRIs - haven't used for 5 years, don't think they were really working when I did
8. Skipping breakfast - recent habit, seems to help, too early to tell
9. Psychodynamic therapy - for 2 years, never seemed to help in the moment, but maybe did over the time period
10. Microdosing psilocybin - reasonably helpful but can't do it every day
11. Modafinil - reasonably effective while on it, but it fucks with sleep; ceased use
Here's what I haven't tried that could be helpful:
1. CBT
2. Mediterranean diet
3. Moving to a warm country (not possible right now)
4. Sleeping for longer (> 9 hours)
5. Other antidepressants
6. Keto diet
7. Weightlifting / anaerobic exercise
8. Other supplements
9. Other types of therapy
10. Longer term meditation habit
11. Philosophy / self-reflection
Has anyone tried something from the second list that was particularly helpful? Anyone figured out a way to overcome this (or just depression/cognitive decline in general)?
I think this is not so uncommon, so I'd love to hear from anyone on HN who's found particularly effective ways of dealing with this and keeping life on track over the winter. My goal is not to be happy but simply to be stable enough that I can maintain regular productivity.
Here's what I've tried:
1. Light therapy - easy and somewhat effective, but not super effective
2. Vitamin D supplements - no real difference noticed
3. Vigorous aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week - moderately effective, not super effective
4. Meditation every morning - recent habit, seems to be helping but it's too early to say
5. Cutting down sugar - somewhat effective when I stick to it, often undisciplined
6. Cutting down carbs - same as above
7. SSRIs - haven't used for 5 years, don't think they were really working when I did
8. Skipping breakfast - recent habit, seems to help, too early to tell
9. Psychodynamic therapy - for 2 years, never seemed to help in the moment, but maybe did over the time period
10. Microdosing psilocybin - reasonably helpful but can't do it every day
11. Modafinil - reasonably effective while on it, but it fucks with sleep; ceased use
Here's what I haven't tried that could be helpful:
1. CBT
2. Mediterranean diet
3. Moving to a warm country (not possible right now)
4. Sleeping for longer (> 9 hours)
5. Other antidepressants
6. Keto diet
7. Weightlifting / anaerobic exercise
8. Other supplements
9. Other types of therapy
10. Longer term meditation habit
11. Philosophy / self-reflection
Has anyone tried something from the second list that was particularly helpful? Anyone figured out a way to overcome this (or just depression/cognitive decline in general)?