Sleeping the answer?

I've just been reviewing my charts and I noticed the longer I sleep the better my overall mood (I'm talking 12-14 hours a day). I don't think I am like, super depressed but I'm not happy go lucky either.

In Dr. Jim Phelps book "Why Am I Still Depressed?" he does a whole chapter about sleep and what he calls "dark therapy" I thought it was really interesting.

I've learned a lot from Dr. Phelps as well. He has 2 web sites.

www.psycheducation.org www.psycheducation.com

I don't remember the "dark therapy". I'll see if I can find it online. It may only be in the book. He tries to make it an easy read but there are some very technical links if you have the time.

K

dark therapy

http://www.psycheducation.org/...


K

Wow Thanks Lizabeth!

I can't believe I missed that. A few months back I bought energy efficient bulbs that are the closest to natural sunlight to help with my depression. I flip one of them on at least twice nearly every night to go to the bathroom. I also fall asleep with the TV on. No wonder I can't sleep well! It doesn't look too bad by my chart, but most nights it takes me over 10 hours to achieve 6 or 7 hours of sleep and I still don't feel refreshed most mornings.

I'm going to try some of the suggestions starting tonight. I'm going to look for an amber nightlight and glasses as well. If I can't find them locally I'll buy from the links he included.

Thanks again Lizabeth. Isn't this a great forum!

K

Good luck Kef. I have really light blocking blinds on my shopping list because that sun is coming up earlier and earlier these days. And we are still going down to minus 30 degress F. at night. Somehow that just doesn't seem right.

Oh--yes, the chart here has no way to show broken sleep. And five hours with waking up every 40 minutes or so is almost worse than no sleep at all.

I also don't have a TV in my bedroom. It helps me motivate to get up in the morning because my craft shows are on and I have to get out of bed if I want to watch them. Also, then I don't have to remember to turn it off. I also try and stop computing by 9PM, but I don't always manage that one.