Back in January I wrote a post about how tricky avoiding I find avoiding depressing during the dark winter months. The lack of sunshine can bring even the most upbeat of people down, so for those with existing mental health problems, like me, it can be very hard to avoid feeling very down. Then a blogging friend, Jen from Mum In The Madhouse, suggested that a SAD lamp might help my situation. So she asked Lumie if they could supply me with a SAD lamp, and they did, and I’ve been using it for two weeks now.
Purpledad set the light up for me, by my favourite spot on the sofa. The light it gives off is not what I expected, it’s very bright and almost like a fluorescent strip light, but I’ve got to this now. You need to sit by the SAD light for 30 mins to an hour every day to get the full benefits. I’ve been doing this, and my mood has definitely lifted. It’s impossible to say if this is entirely down to the SAD light, since my mood does tend to go up and down, but it certainly feels as if it’s making a difference. I will continue to use it until spring is fully here, and hope that this will keep me feeling better. Next year I’ll start using it in September, and hope to avoid seasonal depression altogether. I would definitely recommend trying a Lumie SAD light to anyone who struggles with seasonal depression.
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I’ve got a Lumie Arabica worth £99.95 to give away to one lucky reader. All you need to do is leave me a blog post comment telling me what you like to do to cheer up when you’re feeling down.
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*Disclosure: I was sent a Lumie Arabica SAD light for the purposes of this review. I always write honest reviews.
A walk outdoors always cheers me up, whatever the weather, but when the sun is shining I can’t help but smile! 🙂 x
To be honest the sun cheers me up, I get very depressed on dark days but when the sun is shining I feel happy.
Playing with our new puppy! She is hilarious! She is a tiny chihuahua but loves to chase and bring back HUGE toys! She shakes them and drags them back to me along the floor! Some are three times her size!
Visiting my parents and sister always cheers me up.x
A walk in the countryside with the family
I like to listen to music and go for a walk
A nice bath 🙂
The Sun 🙂
hubby’s jokes and chocolates (lots of it…)
my family
The warm weather always cheers me up, or a nice bunch of flowers 🙂
a long long sleep in
Definitely the brightness of sunshine, but at times when it’s not bright and sunny sometimes going out to a restaurant or cafe can help a little, though obviously can’t do that too often.
cuddling my cats
A glimmer of sunshine or a smile from someone!
With all the rain and doom and gloom it is a wonder these little babies are not sold out everywhere. Need some sunshine very soon …
Sunshine x
The sunshine always cheers me up, a clear, bright day lifts my mood better than anything else.
A walk in the fresh air.
I watch a comedy video followed by a long bath. Bliss.
go see one of my mad mates
Going out for a walk in the sunshine
Cuddles with my pug
A cuddle always does the trick
Walking the dog always cheers me up
I surround myself with positive people, exercise every day, eat healthy and make sure to make time for my family.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
When I am feeling down, I always take my dog for a long walk in the fields. It seems to blow away the cobwebs and gives me the time to collect my thoughts and feel more positive.
I love feeding the ducks – always cheers me up when I`m a bit down x
GOING OUT FOR A MEAL WITH MY FAMILY
a good laugh with friends and family at a get together
My son – he can always find something funny on the internet to cheer me up (usually involving a cat!)
My gorgeous little boy, Eli who is 19 days old.
I like to reread The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy when I am feeling down. It never ceases to cheer me up! I also like to listen to the sound of my children laughing.
My boys hugging me. Would love to try this – thinning it might lift my mood. Spent all of Jan feeling blue x
A nice walk with my dog toby xx
Dancing 😉 of course and then there is baking and well eating the baked goods with a cup of tea of course. A walk with the dogs and when it is sunny there is no doubt in my mind that will make me more cheerful. Pretty things whether it flowers growing, birds singing or a gorgeous looking scarf! Hugs will cheer me up too!
Crafting – getting creative and messy always makes me happy
my grandchildren cheer me up
I had a sad light til recently, my husband broke it at the weekend 🙁 I do like to go out for a run to lift my mood though. Its hard work with chronic fatigue, but ultimately it does help most of the time. It also means I sleep better!
nothing cheers me up in the winter until i see a bit of sun then im back x
a lovely long walk with my cavalier king charles spaniel bracken over the fields
A cuddle with my husband and dog.
I have been bed bound and very ill for the last six months but am starting to get a lot better now, thanks to my wonderful husband who has been my full time carer and has taken wonderful care of me, the house and the rest of the family. He is so kind and has done a wonderful job in getting me better. So having a special gift like this is a fantastic boost for him and let him know i really love him. he has been told that he suffers from sad and before we have always gone away for christmas and this has given him the sun boost he needs but with me being so ill he was not able to go and the money situation with neither of being able to work has put a stop to that as well. so this would be a fantastic prize for him thanks and fingers crossed
funny films cheer me up when im feeling down
I have read a lot about SAD lights and they are highly recommended for seasonal affective depression. I would like to try one. My way of cheering myself is a walk.
A walk for at least 30 minutes – I always feel better then, even if the weather isn’t great
To meet up with relatives and have a meal out.
Chocolate
A long walk in my local woods listening to the bird song and breeze whistling through the branches.
Cookie dough ice cream.
Listen to music
It is actually the sunshine, I love Spring mornings and lighter longer evenings!…or a good old chat with my Mum always cheers me up! 🙂
Jenifer xx
listening to some music
some nice hot sun and Lindt Praline chocolate
A walk with my dog!
my daughters make me smile every day
Winning prizes for my family especially holidays. This prize would be perfect in all this darkness…
when the sun is shining I feel Happy again
Some great music.
A lovely walk in the fresh air with my gorgeous dog.
A nice big box of chocolates and lighting my scented candles x
sunshine and fresh air, or my nephews/niece
relaxing music
A nice hug, good cup of tea and a favourite movie on the TV.
Chocolate
Curling up with a good book!
A glass of wine
Family and friends.
reading a good book or listening to music and my hubby
Listening to loud music!
I love to spend time with my daughter and 3 year old twin nephews, they never fail to put a smile on my face. Relaxing with my favourite book, music and Neom candles also helps lift my mood 🙂
the sun
A nice sunny day or a hug x
Singing really cheers me up. I play my favourite songs on the computer while I’m working and sing away at the top of my voice. Never fails.
A walk in the woods or by the sea makes me happy or a nice cup of tea and biscuits!
The sun!
Getting some fresh air x
Dr Pepper, Wagamamas and searching for cats online!
My godsons smile! 🙂
A cuddle from my kids and picking my camera up x
Wine!!! Oh and walks in the woods with my family. I love the woods no matter what the weather but it never hurts to see those crocuses bursting through.
A funny film and some sweets to nibble on.
Listening to music, loudly, cheers me up.
my kids!
Chocolate or a hug from one of my daughters. Not sure which one works best 😀
Someone offering to make me a cup of tea.
Some good fortune coming my way. Such as today my car went through it’s MOT first time, that cheered me up.
what cheers me up when I’m down is concentrating on all the positive things in my life
Chocolate and cuddles.
My pet chickens, watching them waddle about the garden eating bugs always makes me smile 🙂
Exercise and listening to music
Is it bad that I want to say chocolate? Watching my favourite film or listening to music usually cheers me up.
Seeing people smile
My children & chocolate 🙂
Cuddles with my pets (hamsters and mice)
anything my grandchildren chatter about together,they are 5 and 3
Cuddles from my daughter
Chocolate every time
A Lumie Arabica of course!
My adorable pet tortoise 🙂
A cuddle from one of my 2 cats
I put on some music and dance – it always cheers me up x
Having a chat with my mum 🙂
another vote for getting out in the fresh air, either walking the dog or getting some gardening done.
a soap in the bath
A cup of tea, a visit from my super sweet nephews and a hug from my husband
Spending time with friends for some time out
Stroking /petting my cat
my children, they are my sunshine on the rainy day – always
When I’m feeling down and my son with Asperger’s tells me he loves me, it lifts my spirit more than anything in the world
hugs and old films
listening to nice music
Hot chocolate and a hot shower 🙂
I bake…. cupcakes are my favourite as they always look pretty and make me feel good 🙂
my family spending time doing stuff.
A good comedy show.
My husbands corny jokes always cheer me up
Chocolate!
my children always cheer me up and make me laugh
I have always wondered if one of these lamps would help me to get through the winter. I do like to have a holiday to cheer me up, even if it is one to look forward to it seems to help a little.
My husband smiling and telling me how much he loves me always cheers me up as well as sunshine, just feeling the suns rays on my face gives me a happy feeling.
My son and boyfriend. Both are just perfect in every way 🙂
Playing a daft game with or just dancing and singing with my 10 yr old daughter. She’d the funniest person I know!
My family who keep on until I snap out of it
Trashy Reality TV and Chocolate!
being with my husband and children
Getting out into the countryside and having a long walk, especially if we take a picnic and make a day of it.
Being able to get outside in the fresh air .. Sunny days are the best!
seeing my children happy and smiling
chocolate!
I listen to upbeat music! 🙂
A walk in the fresh air especially if its a sunny day and in particular by the sea. My partner and I love to walk along the coast or around little fishing villages, guaranteed to cheer up up.
A walk in the fresh air especially if its a sunny day and in particular by the sea. My partner and I love to walk along the coast or around little fishing villages, guaranteed to cheer us up.
my kids giggles
chocolate
cuddles from my cats
Wispa Golds 🙂
Any episode of Dad’s Army – never fails to make me laugh, really fab show 🙂
seeing the dog and the cat cuddled up together
My little boy 🙂
My cat
Music and fresh air help cheer me up
reading helps me
The sunshine, which is why I’d love to try this
Taking the dog out for a wlak across the fields with my hubby and kids
A phone call from my friends or family
chocolate!
My childrens smiley faces
my partner
Going for a walk
sunshine! But of course in winter this is tricky. I tend to avoid caffeine due to my mental health issues so in the winter I like to make myself a decaff gingerbread latte topped with cream
A cuddle from my son
Music always lifts my mood when I’m feeling down
My little boy’s cheeky face!
Sunshine and music cheers me up when I’m down 🙂
A nice hot bath, relaxing music and something yummy to eat!
My family and my 3 cats
sunshine,walks,planning,holidays and margaritas always cheer me up!
my cats
Exercise & not being alone
What cheers you up when you’re feeling down
a hug from hubby
Sunshine
chocolate
Escaping into the mountains for the day….just surrounded by nature- Pure Bliss!
Whenever my darling son isn’t being quite so darling then it’s out the house, no matter what the weather… a walk in the fresh air always blasts away cobwebs and bad moods.
Music cheers me up especially if I dance along. I have the radio on all the time
Watching wildlife in the garden – especially the young animals and birds. Hilarious sometimes!
A night in with friends
a good rom-com and a cup of hot chocolate
my fluffy cat Vienna
Sitting down with a nice cup of tea, and a purring cat upon my knee.
Cuddles with my girlfriend!
A good sad movie and a cry with some snacks seems to do the trick
A hot bath with a good book always cheers me up and relaxes me when I am feeling down.
My little boy and the crazy things he says 🙂
chocolate!
My daughter cheers me up. She has a great laugh and is always smiling
Not particularly good for me, but a big bar of chocolate 🙂
A nice bath
A big bar of choc!
Thinking of 5 positive things instead of a negative helps me 🙂
A hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cadburys flake
a cuddle from my children always helps me 🙂
My little boy always seems to know when I’m feeling low, he will come over climb up on my knee and give me a squish, that always puts a smile on my face
A nice hot chocolate
A nice sunny day
our little yorkie jack never fails to cheer me up 🙂
Taking my dogs for a walk.
Chocolate!
A nice bath with soothing music
Seeing the sun shining.
my sons smile
As a sun bunny, I really suffer in the winter, I need to get out everyday the sun comes out.
A walk in the sunshine.
My kids! even when I’m stuck indoors they know how to make me smile 🙂
My cats!
A cup of tea and cuddles with my cat
fresh air
My sons identical twin boys aged 2…I love them to bits and they always make me smile!
Taking the dog for a walk 🙂
Sunshine, my hubby, children and grandchildren 🙂
Go for a long walk!
a day at the beach
Music.
Seeing family 🙂
My kids, I spend most of my life stuck in the house due to illness and they are always telling me funny stories from school to keep me smiling 🙂
my kids cheer me up
Salt and vinegar crisps
seeing my friend paul as he always makes me laugh
A walk with my dog, he always smiles at me
My three lovely dogs x
My baby girl 🙂
A walk with my dog – preferably in the sunshine, or a chat with my sons
A walk on the beach with my family and dogs
surprisingly exercise!!!! Getting on my bike is always a good one!!!
Usually a walk makes me feel better if I can get out x
I think my mil would benefit from this and if that cheered her up it would cheer me up.
Music 🙂
I put on my favourite happy music and clean my house, or pop my earphones in and go for a walk or run, always makes me feel better 🙂 x
Seeing my daughter when I return from work after a hard day. Never ceases to not put a grin on my face.
a chat to my bestest friends always cheers me up when im a bit down
My cats. I may not appreciate being woken up at 4am because one of them likes a cuddle in the middle of the night but they are always good company when I need a cuddle
A walk in the countryside with my dog
Cuddles with my dogs
A hug with my Dizzy dog!! 🙂
getting a new book
When I’m feeling down I enjoy chatting to friends and/or watching one of my favourite films.
tea and chocolate
a sunny day
chocolate
my 6yr old
chocolate 🙂
A cuddle with my little girl. Nothing like it!
Music 🙂
Cheesecake
A hug from my husband
Watching Sex and the city.
Chocolate! 🙂
My baby girl always cheers me up – she gives me the biggest smiles & a cuddle with her always makes me feel better 🙂
I try and get out in the fresh air and what light there is – sunlight preferrably but in the dark winter months I try and get out during the lightest part of the day. Taking my dogs for a walk is great for this as if there is little light I get pleasure from watching them having fun.
my children
Cuddles with my children
a bit of sunshine even if it’s cold.
my cats
my very funny cat
The sunshine
Singing loudly 🙂
My beautiful little girl x
My children being kind to me 🙂
My favourite music – preferably on headphones and very loud!!
My children always cheer me up when I am feeling down.
Sunshine always cheers me up – so do my kids!
Going for a walk in the sunshine
My dog can always make me happy with just one look 🙂
a walk along the beach with the dog
My dog always makes me smile, she is slightly bonkers and thinks she’s human.
A long walk by the coast.
Exercise seems to energise me and lift my spirits
A good nights sleep and a sunny morning make me feel happy and alive
exercise always perks me up, I love doing Pilates
I spend a bit of time on myself, doing my hair and nails etc. It seems to perk me up a bit.
my family
My son
Spending time with my family always cheers me up as they are so funny and loving
5 minutes on my own helps x
My 4 year old nephew going into total bliss when I see him – esp’ if it’s with a new Lego toy car for him to spend hours building!
I got to where I used to work before having my twins and have a good natter with my old workmates. They soon make me feel better
A good book
my little comedienne daughter, she always makes me chuckle
my kids always cheer me up.
A hug from my little girl always cheers me up.
Disney films!
my youngest son
Watching star wars with my girlfriend
A night out with my besties!
I go and see my grand kids. Their non stop excitemant always brightens my day.
Going for a walk in the sun with my dog then home for freshly made cake!
Going for a walk with my dog then home for cake!
I love going for a long walk 🙂
A tasty meal!
Listening to my children giggling
Spending time with my kids on a day out in the sun
Cuddles with either the cat or the boyfriend, depending on whether he’s home or not! 🙂
Chocolate
chocolate 🙂
my daughter laughing
Tea and biscuits with family or friends
music
a box of chocolates
A walk outdoors in the sunshine, a pamper at home, nice food (in or out), a glass of wine 🙂
my mrs
Getting some fresh air.
music
Our hyper puppy and the ice cream man who gives her a free ice cream
Taking my dog for a walk
Music
my daughter laughing 🙂
SUNSHINE & FRESH AIR
a bit of sunshine or my hubby!
Happy music always gets me in a good mood. My husband is always able to cheer me up too.
cuddles form my children
My dog, Tia, without doubt always cheers me up when I am down. She senses it and seems to know before I even realise how my mood is and will do stupid things to make me laugh as well as just being very loving and affectionate. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her helping me through some of my darkest times, so am grateful everyday for having her.
my children. Always make me feel better.
Listening to music