Some days I feel mentally challenged. It’s not a joke. If you’ve been hit in the head, sometimes the effects are long lasting. Get hit enough times and you can hear the clock ticking.
There are many things I want to do while I still can. Part of the equation is taking care of myself so that “I can” for much longer. We can push back the inevitable, fight for our independence and not succumb to the easy excuses of age and senility.
Our American affluence enables a very sedentary lifestyle. Currently, I’m not able to be sedentary; there’s just too much going on. That won’t be the case in a few months and I have to plan NOW what I’ll do then to prevent the slow down, the depression, the destruction of my fitness, etc. The constant rain for the last few days has partially immobilized me. That’s scary.
My mood is obviously affected by the sun. Now that I’ve identified the trigger, I need to isolate what it does to me and then make a plan to combat the issues that arise when the sun inevitably hides for the next few months. I have a workout plan scheduled for the dead of winter, a 12 week program that I’m going to do Dec, Jan, Feb. I will NOT put on a bunch of winter weight this year.
It was a real struggle to recover from last winter. It’s taken significantly more effort to get back into shape and it’s not a process I’d like to do again. It is easier to maintain the gains rather than repeat the cycle. What is something I can do to prevent the seemingly inevitable decline that coincides with colder weather?
For starters, I need to keep garbage food out of the house. This is a massive challenge when the whole country seems to wheel and deal confectionary sugar as currency during the holidays.
Alcohol needs to be limited or banished. Adding a depressant on top of an already depressing time is unwise.
I need to associate with people that WANT me to live the life I NEED to live. It’s very comfortable to surround yourself with affirming people who give you license to live the poorly chosen lifestyle you’re currently drowning in. REAL friends call you out in a way that helps you live your best life. Got any real friends?
I try to be that friend. It’s a difficult line to walk- telling the truth can be painful but we need to say it, we need to hear it. Affirming bad behavior is toxic and if you’re really someone’s friend, you don’t want to see them sucking at life.
So, I’m going to keep riding while I can, keep writing while I can, keep eating right; while I can still choose my friends and where I go- pick the best to be the best. Did you know physical exercise is one of the top ways to prevent mental decline?
Will most Americans die fat and with dementia? Let’s take back control of our food supply, our lifestyle, and our healthcare before we all end up like the people in the movie WALLE.
These Veteran stories of struggle, adventure, and post traumatic growth need to be heard!
Join the cause to de-stigmatize mental health issues.
Please SUBSCRIBE, share our website with friends / co-workers, and support us by donation or at the STORE.
Drew founded Mental Grenade Jan 2020. He is a follower of Jesus Christ, a medically retired Marine, EOD Tech, husband, father, writer, mountain biker, photographer, facilitator, and fly-fisherman. He seeks to bridge the civilian – military divide and bring hope through honest communication about difficult issues.
These Veteran stories of struggle, adventure, and post traumatic growth need to be heard!
Join the cause to de-stigmatize mental health issues.
Please SUBSCRIBE, share our website with friends / co-workers, and support us by donation or at the STORE.
TiffanieG
October 7, 2022 17:45I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) too. I have found the best ways to get through winter wit a decent attitude is two-fold.
1. Get a lightbox (I use the SunTouch Plus) Your VA might be able to get it for you, they gave me mine. (Getting out in natural sunshine is good, too, but often there isn’t enough of it, even if it’s sunny, if you are in northern latitudes.
2. Get the proper treatment for SAD. I take a medicine from Oct/Nov-ish to Mar/April-ish, while things are cloudy and days are shorter. It makes a huge difference.
3. The rest of the things you’ve said are perfect. Diet, family and friends, etc.
4. Plan your expenditures and budget! Decide how much you are going to spend on presents, parties, travel, special meals, special baking, etc. And do it now, rather than just before. That will help to keep you on track, and not have a debt hangover in spring. And it makes it easier to say yes or no to last minute invitations if you have your budget laid out.
Just my thoughts.
Drew
October 26, 2022 13:52Thanks for the advice! I recently bought a “Happy Light” from Amazon. I don’t really waste my time with trying to get the VA to do much for me IRT smaller things. It’s too cumbersome and I value my time. The light has definitely helped and will be part of my winter regimen.
Erika E
October 6, 2022 15:57Thank you for being that friend, Drew. I needed to read this today & I have some planning to do for the winter months myself.
Mimi Routh
October 6, 2022 15:33Oh, boy! This is all good struff you wrote, Drew, and I’m with you all the way on this except for that bright picture of Christmas goodies. Damn it! Those are pure love! Everything in that picture is made by hand in someone’s home kitchen! If bakeries have it, then fine, but mostly that is a loving undertaking that costs quite a lot just for the ingredients! Especially with daughters, set out this holiday to bake gingerbread boys. Girls need a daddy’s attention, and the project will help set them up to stay slim, stay beautiful, stay faithful (another topic, but daughters of men who left often have several marriages; my dad gave me the silent treatment, and I went to bed with a lot of men just for good talk!!!). Anyway, let’s put the goodies back into their proper place in family life, as a holiday treat, something made together to lighten the work, a celebration! We really can find our strength in having just one or saying no to something else, in wearing nice clothes in a size that fits us and makes us proud. We can celebrate with a teeny-tiny slice of joy — while knowing that even a teeny tiny bit of hooch is often a slippery slope. . . . This week I drove 15 miles to my VA hospital. My primary care doctor lied to me that I needed to have all my meds looked at to be sure they don’t interact badly. WTF! She’s an MD — do I have to drive 30 miles and waste a day to get this? No. She wanted me evaluated for mental slippage — I who play 4-suit Spider Solitaire! As it turned out, I sailed thru the tests, given by a gentle woman with a Hindu man’s name. It ended up I could choose her for primary care — and of course, I did! I felt so loved and cared for by her. She saw me as a person. She cared about me! Oh, God bless! And Bldg 802 for Geriatric Care is closer to the parking lot! Oh boy! Easy does it, Drew! Things do work out!
Drew
October 26, 2022 13:55I am certainly not trying to frame all holiday treats in a bad light! LOL.
I am warning myself out loud of eating as a way to deal with depression. Mmmm, sugar makes me feel better… wait it’s gone. I think I’ll have another cookie- who brought these Christmas cookies to our house? I have addictive tendencies.