Are You SAD?

[Diverdan]

I have been blessed by a large extended family where Holidays are an excuse for more than the usual phone calls, visits, etc. One side of our family gets together between the Christmas and New Year's Holidays for three or four days, of eating, drinking, singing, skiing, talking, telling stories and watching the next generation take their rightful place in the sun. I have never experienced SAD, but for many years my work as a psychologist kept me busy seeing folks who had this malady. I encourage all my friends who live in climates where they go for long periods without much sun shine to find a way to spend a few days on vacation somewhere warm and sunny. If that is not possible, head for an indoor driving range, take a buddy to a movie, etc. as a change of pace and scenery will do wonders for the soul. Maybe some of our Southern Posters can suggest some weekends for informal get togethers, ala the DC luncheon or the PS weekend. FTL, Miami, Key West, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, New Orleans, etc. all have times where just a "weekend get away" would help cure those "blues". Thanks for starting this post, and I hope more will chime in with their thoughts too.

[nate_sf]

Maybe some of our Southern Posters can suggest some weekends for informal get togethers, ala the DC luncheon or the PS weekend. FTL, Miami, Key West, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, New Orleans, etc. all have times where just a "weekend get away" would help cure those "blues". Thanks for starting this post, and I hope more will chime in with their thoughts too.

 

Arizona Gay Rodeo (AGRA) in Phoenix February 15-17, 2013. Cowboy up! :-)

[Guest]

my doctor said that I have a severe Vitamin D deficieny.

 

Vitamin D deficiency is by far the most common vitamin deficiency. In fact, most people who do not take Vitamin D supplements are probably vitamin D deficient. The term "vitamin D" is a bit of a misnomer because it's not really a vitamin, but a hormone which humans normally make by manufacturing ourselves, but this requires sunlight on our skin. The sun isn't high up in the sky enough for those who live far from the tropics to make vitamin D in the Fall and Winter. And if the skin is covered with clothing or sunblock we also can't make vitamin D, even in the Spring and Summer. Although milk is artificially supplemented with vitamin D, vitamin D is actually very difficult to get from a natural diet (found mostly in sardines, cod liver oil, and shiitake/portabella mushrooms). If you don't take vitamin D supplements, you're probably deficient in vitamin D, unless you live in Miami and walk around in short sleeves during the mid-day.

[bigvalboy]

Maybe some of our Southern Posters can suggest some weekends for informal get togethers, ala the DC luncheon or the PS weekend. FTL, Miami, Key West, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, New Orleans, etc. all have times where just a "weekend get away" would help cure those "blues". Thanks for starting this post, and I hope more will chime in with their thoughts too.

 

I am a bit partial to FTL, "The Keys, and of course Miami. The gay beach in Lauderdale the other day was 80 degrees at night and was within 'ear shot' from the Ritz-Carlton, where a beach front room can be had for a very reasonable price....or the Royal Palm and Spa, a small gay resort in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, that offers a poolside bar, eatery, spa, gym and very nice rooms at ridiculously low prices and a staff that is impeccable...of course there is always "The Island that is Palm Beach" or the now infamous 'Key West', which by any standard is about as good as it gets for just relaxing and soaking up some much needed sun to dispense of the ol "ba humbug"

[+ Charlie]

Vitamin D deficiency is by far the most common vitamin deficiency. In fact, most people who do not take Vitamin D supplements are probably vitamin D deficient. The term "vitamin D" is a bit of a misnomer because it's not really a vitamin, but a hormone which humans normally make by manufacturing ourselves, but this requires sunlight on our skin. The sun isn't high up in the sky enough for those who live far from the tropics to make vitamin D in the Fall and Winter. And if the skin is covered with clothing or sunblock we also can't make vitamin D, even in the Spring and Summer. Although milk is artificially supplemented with vitamin D, vitamin D is actually very difficult to get from a natural diet (found mostly in sardines, cod liver oil, and shiitake/portabella mushrooms). If you don't take vitamin D supplements, you're probably deficient in vitamin D, unless you live in Miami and walk around in short sleeves during the mid-day.

 

After my last physical, my doctor commented, "Your vitamin D supplement is doing a good job." I replied, "But I don't take any supplement." "Oh," he said, "I forgot: you play tennis in the sun every day. You must get it naturally." I also love sardines.

[bigvalboy]

After my last physical, my doctor commented, "Your vitamin D supplement is doing a good job." I replied, "But I don't take any supplement." "Oh," he said, "I forgot: you play tennis in the sun every day. You must get it naturally." I also love sardines.

 

My doctor advised that I dispense with the 'sun block' at least once a day and take a nice long walk to allow the Vit D to soak in. During the winter however, I do take a supplement, since outdoor time in SoCal can get difficult without bundling up.

 

I am a big believer of sun blocks as my Dad had several bouts with skin cancer, and being au natural up top leaves too much skin exposed.

[+ Lucky]

I don't mind at all that this thread I started has switched over to a discussion of Vitamin D. I assume, first of all, that eveeryone who wanted to speak to the original topic had their opportunity to do so. But Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common and easy to remedy. The Lucky Family takes supplements and still has levels of D too low! Living in the desert, we tend to avoid the sun. Get tested!

 

Yet also feel free to discuss SAD if you have not yet done so...

[bigvalboy]

But Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common and easy to remedy.

The Lucky Family takes supplements and still has levels of D too low!

 

?

 

 

Living in the desert, we tend to avoid the sun.

 

 

The Sun can be your friend, if proper exposure is practiced

 

 

Yet also feel free to discuss SAD if you have not yet done so...

 

My doctor told me that lack of proper vitamin intake and lack of exposure to the sun, can in many respects be contributors to SAD, but I am no longer affected by SAD, as a good shot of Kentucky Bourbon seems to be the cure all, and no doctor visit or prescription required.

[+ Lucky]

And, if alcohol is the remedy you seek to avoid SAD, help can be found for you, too. Call Alcoholics Anonymous now!

[bigvalboy]

And, if alcohol is the remedy you seek to avoid SAD, help can be found for you, too. Call Alcoholics Anonymous now!

 

lol lol Being sober is not all it's cracked up to be.....

[tyro]

Oh, shit....

B, your reply actually did make me lol.

T