There has been a fair bit of Awful since we last spoke. I’ve been ‘busy’, or certainly busier’, so it’s all to be expected (although sometimes that doesn’t make it any less rubbish.)
Autumn is my favourite. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that my birthday is in November. Even you sun worshippers can’t deny that this is a beautiful time of year. I’m lucky now that I live life so slowly that I can actually notice the leaves changing colour day by day.
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| Such pretty colours |
With each season change though changes have to be made and hurdles to be overcome because of my complex health condition.
With the darker nights I quickly lose track of the time. I keep thinking it’s only evening even though it’s dark outside but before I know it it’s 8:30pm and I should really be upstairs getting ready for bed if I want to have any chance of getting to sleep before midnight. The same happens in the summertime when I have to force myself upstairs when it’s still lovely and sunny outside.
So I have to keep an eye on the time (this chronic illness things allows no breaks – you’ve got to be on your toes constantly, in one way or another) and adjust my routine accordingly. It can take me even longer than usual to get going when I wake up during the Winter months.
With the darker mornings and lack of sun I tend to leave my blinds half open during the Autumn/Winter to let the morning light in, in a desperate attempt to make it easier to wake up each morning. I can’t tell you of the struggle I face each morning! Who knew eyelids could be so heavy? And who filled my body with concrete during the night?!
A while ago I invested in a Lumie light (Bodyclock Starter 30) because I’d heard from others that such lamps offered a lovely natural light. For a few weeks I used it in the mornings (waking up to the gradual brightening light) and at night (to coax myself to sleep with the gradual dimming light.)
I don’t wake up to this anymore. It had a near-disastrous effect on my health. I woke up shaking from over-exertion as my body clearly felt it was being woken up too quickly. I do still use it as a lamp though and it’s particularly lovely on these dull, grey days.
I don’t know about you but I love a good Fresh Air Fix. I don’t get one everyday but I leave a pair of easy-to-get-on shoes by the door so I can get a blast of fresh air whenever I’m up to it (and not get soggy socks if it’s raining or damp.) I love to plonk myself on the front step every now and then just to be outside.
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| Fresh Air Fix! It’s all about pyjamas, dressing gowns and wellies. |
I struggle with the central heating. I wonder if it is some kind of chemical sensitivity thing. I sometimes get a similar ‘reaction’ when the oven is on. I just don’t feel as if I can breath all that well when it’s on. My energy levels deplete with the increased temperature. My eyes don’t seem to be able to open properly. Maybe the heat just makes me drowsy. I am yet to come up with a solution for this one. Watch this space and let me know if you experience anything similar so that I don’t feel like such a dysfunctional human being.
Many people find their pain rocketing during the colder months. Im very lucky that I don’t suffer terribly with pain like many other sufferers do. I do have handy head packs and a trusty hot water though. I cannot get to sleep if I am the slightest bit cold (or hot for that matter!) so thick, cosy socks and a teddy bear throw have been dug out of the back if the wardrobe ready for the temperature drop.
I hope you’re able to combat the season changes somehow too. Stay cosy!
M.E. myself and I 