Goodreads Reviewers' Group discussion

Have you ever been in a reading slump, where you just can't settle on a book, can't stay focused on the page?

How do you knock yourself out of it?

Any hints/tips/tricks/recommendations for fellow readers?

Yes, and I just take it as it comes; it may mean I need another activity for awhile, or I may need to do some writing or sketching or even watching television.

I go on long walks to clear my head, or some form of exercise. It's usually over-caffeinated or over-carbed, and that can clog up the faculties. Burn it off, refresh my body. And lots of vitamin D. It's how I deal with writing and reading blocks.

Great advice, Jessica; I wish I had the time to walk, but I work many hours a day, and I try to do pilates and yoga and low impact aerobics while I work.
How much Vitamin D do you take?

I manage to fit in walking around work, but I cycle to and from it, so that helps my brain! If you can get in a 1-2 hour walk at the weekend (with hills!), or whenever you're not at work it'll do you good. But aerobics is good too - anything that gets the blood flowing and oxygen spreading.

For Vit D (D3 not D2 - D2 is almost useless) in the summer anything I can get from the sun. In the winter (me being in the UK) I lose stores very quickly (I exercise a lot and it's essential for muscle growth/nutrient absorption but gets used up quicker) so I take a high dose at 80ug (micrograms) at the moment (prescribed after a blood test, but you can buy way higher doses on Amazon), but only in the winter, because winter sunshine has no benefit at all in the UK, or anywhere with low winter sun, even if its a clear day. If you get enough summer sun a 25ug supplement daily should get you through the winter as you'll have stored a load in the summer - but it is essential for your body's mechanisms (it's not a true vitamin, it's actually a pro-hormone, so unfortunately not revered as highly as it should be due to this naming), and so definitely let yourself enjoy outside when it's warm.

It's not prescription medication (like I said, mine was only prescribed after a blood test, though I was already taking low dose supplements) so you can pick it up anywhere supplements are sold. There's a reason people are less enthusiastic, irritable and tired during the darker seasons... Definitely read up about it if you find your slump is worse in winter, try the Vitamin D Council website.

I did have to give up caffeinated coffee recently because the energy I gain from the D supplement is so high the caffeine just gives me a headache now...

Thank you so much for such a lovely, comprehensive response. I think it's great you get to walk; I try whenever the weather is conducive, but I live on the East coast of the Mid-Atlantic states and the weather has not been cooperative for quite a bit. We have extremes in temps ( high to low), precipitation ( rain, snow and ice) and little sunshine. My doctor put me on an otc D3 supplement due to the lack of sunshine. She wants me to take 1000 mcgs; I am uncertain about the amount of your 'ug.'
Due to allergies and a healthy fear, I am very hesitant in taking medications and even vitamins and supplements, although most people I know take D3. I do take Vitamins C and Biotin, every now and again a multi vitamin, or D3 but only 1000mcg, and sometimes Vitamin B12,
I do have SAD and I plan to relocated to another state as soon as I can.