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Hi, Emily,
This is in no way to be considered professional advice, but, have you considered trying a lightbox? A number of circadian rhythms are light-dependent. Some people think and feel much better when they have daily exposure, for at least half an hour before 8 am, to a light that contains the wavelengths of summer sunlight. The "before 8 am" part is important because there is a cortisol peak at 8 am; the light isn't effective for your purpose if it is used after the peak. I have heard that there are a number of fake "therapy lights" on the market, so be careful. One reputable company is Sunbox at www.sunbox.com I am sure there are other good companies, but this is the one with which I am most familiar. Light therapy is something that either works or doesn't; you will know within a few days--and reputable companies will refund your money and let you return the light if it doesn't help. In between each practice (for violin) I turn to the piano and play a few songs before resuming on the violin. For variety so I don't get too tired/frustrated, especially attempting to master a section of a piece (like the second section of Paul Essek's Slavonic Dance. Tricky double-stops) How about two tickets to Hawaii? Would that work? Yeah, we know how it's done. I leave in four weeks.

Went tanning yesterday, and that felt really good. Red nail polish and a party at my house tonight also works wonders. Thanks for the good suggestion, Sara.

Back to knitting...

P-Zan,

I play piano in between, too! I enjoy playing accompaniments and listening to how they fit with the solos. I also enjoy Bach--English Suites and preludes and fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier. (It always comes back to Bach!)

With two parties, one of them yours, having to check a schedule, fingernail polish, tanning, trip for two to Hawaii, and being bored, you just don't get my sympathy.

Sara, what does it do to your rhythms if there's a light on all the time? I usually sleep with a light on. I discovered when I close my eyes it gets dark.

Emily,

There's hardly any snow on the ground. It's going to be a long winter if you're already suffering from lack of light. I mean, if you're going to take off for Hawaii, wait until there's a foot or 2 on the ground!

Take a deep breath, soon, we'll have enough snow to ski and break up the monotony!

Mellisa