Gearing up for the annual battle...
It was warm in Italy, often 90F in Roma. And, with the exception of 23 days during which there were light showers, the skies never owned a cloud. Add to that the fact that we walke, walked, walked, and climbed, climbed, climed. All in all, a picture of a scenerio conducive to good physical and mental health (oh yeah, there was the olive oil and the veggies...and I digress).
First day home I find a clear beautiful day and immediately headed out on Lake Michigan. Sun and excercise and good health.
Then, yesterday and after a cold night, the temps were in the 60-68 range. The wind came up, and I felt a chill that went right to my bones. I put on a farmer john, even though the water is still in the 60's, just like the air. Since I was going out to roll, I even wore a dry top and a neoprene cap...what I would usually wear for much colder conditions. And it felt okay while I was doing it. Still, there was the deep chill when I got home, even after a hot shower.It is around 6 am, the wind is whistling outside, the skies are dirty, and I don't know the temperature; but I do know that the annual battle is at hand. I could tell yesteday when I found myself looking for sweets to eat late in the evening.
The days will get short, weather will keep me inactive (relatively) and the vitamin D and serotonin levels in my brain will drop. A set up for feeling bummed. What to do?
Firstly, I am aware it is coming, know a lot about it and can prepare. I must stay active, and I must watch my diet. In the next few days the bright light will come out of the basement, and I will spend 30-60 minutes each morning reading with the light less than an arm's length away. And I will talk frequently with my two favorite daughters just to check in and see how we are all doing with my famaly's genes. Finally, I will take Calcitrate (trademarke) because it contains vitamin D3, the active form of the vitamin.
If you know what I am talking about here, you need no further explanation. If you do not, no explanation will do (sound like a previous blog?). In any event, take care of yourself over the next 6 months, especially if you live in the colder parts of the globe. And always...
Paddle safe...
DS
2 comments:
we sure are on the same page a lot!! interesting. I think I'll have to get some of that Calcitrate and a big light. I'm sort of hoping my new joy pills will help with the serotonin levels. That is of course unless Michael keeps picking on me. Then I might just have to start drinking instead. :)
At least Dick and I can get together for a morning coffee and chat on a rather frequent basis. . .I just need to remember to take Oz (my wife) to breakfast once in awhile (to even the score that she apparently is keeping).
Then there's the idea of a daily trip (maybe weekly is more like it) to pee in Derrick's pool.
Maybe some of us should look for a heated space to rent that we could turn into a kayak workshop . . . that would help pass the winter by--could even put bright lights in it and have an Irish Whiskey bar (couldn't charge though then we'd need to obtain a license).
I'm glad that I'm not afflicted with the low serotonin levels, or other aliments for that matter, though besides my good friends I have close family members who are; and, I empathize with those who are. Remember, I'm here for yous--not professionally as an EMT, but as a friend.
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