I was considering this today. I don't mean to say that we all, every day, have a bad time....morning, afternoon, evening. Luckily, we go through times when we aren't having a bad time emotionally at all.
But, Fibro, being what it is, does lend it self to sadness, the blues and, of course, depression.
SO, for those of you who are feeling badly at one time of day, or another, what is the worst time for you?
It's funny, I used to find that mornings were awful. When my depression was extremely severe, in the beginning of my fibro "experience", I felt that I would stay in bed all day. It was all I could do to get up and get breakfast, even a bowl of cereal, for myself. Showering was something I avoided at all costs. I felt paralyzed in the morning, by my sadness, emptiness and anxiety.
But as the day went on, the evenings were my best times. I had some favorite TV shows and I would focus on looking forward to those. By the time, evening came, I had my appetite back, I would make the bed, straighten the room and possibly shower at that time, all in anticipation of my TV programs. They would allow me to forget about myself. I didn't feel as much like an "invalid" because, most people were doing those same things at that time of day.
Evenings have never been a very depressing or bad time for me. I guess because I feel that since "people" in general are relaxing after their busy day, that I was doing what any "normal" person would do. I didn't feel "less than", "lazy" or "worthless".
Lately, I've had not a truly deep depression but a sense of "malaise" or "dysthymia" as a therapist I used to consult called it. Just not totally happy, but sort of "sad". This mainly occurs for me when I "sleep in" or waste too much time on the internet in the morning and then realize I have SO MUCH to do during the day and haven't even started anything. Not that what I do is SOOOOOOOOO important, but it now becomes bigger and more overwhelming and depressing, even if it's just grocery shopping.
So, for me, the solution has been very easy, in a sense. I get up at 7:30, but no later than 8. I start my breakfast, take pills and do a little bit of reading in the bible. I try to make sure that the bed is made, dishes are done and that I'm ready to exercise, if not already exercising, by 10 am.
When I do the above, I feel better about life, feel like I have a start on the day and that I can move ahead.
If I were to sleep until 10, get up and sit in front of the TV and computer until noon, I would feel that I was moving in no particular direction, had no particular purpose, and feel pretty sad, in general.
My suggestion to you, no matter what time of day is your worst, with depression, sadness or anxiety is to "get moving" and stop thinking too much. So, get up early and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
I read somewhere that severe depression is markedly helped by getting up early in the morning, rather than sleeping in. SO, my earlier (posted) advice to go to bed early and get up early is really beneficial for us who suffer from the depression as part of our Fibro. Most of us do have this symptom, but it is not insurmountable. It may take medication, but this sleep pattern fix has ALWAYS worked for me amazingly well.
I hope you will try this method. Even on weekends it is a very good idea to go to bed and get up at the same time. If you can't go to bed early, it's STILL recommended that you get up at your "earlier" time. This way you won't break the overall "cycle".
Remember what Benjamin Franklin said, "Early to bed and early to rise, makes man (or woman) healthy, wealthy and wise."
Ben had it right! Try it!
Good night my dear Fibro friends....sleep well....and get up earlier than you normally do. See how it feels after a period of say two weeks. You may even thank me! :)
Blessings........
Mo M.
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