How do you cope with winter?

Any tips on SE Asia destinations? I’ve been looking for February but wouldn’t mind some pointers, places that are family friendly ideally! Thailand, Goa?

Get outside as much as possible especially if it is sunny.

For example last Sunday it was sunny and we'd booked to go out for a roast supper day dinner but it was so warm in the middle of the day that we sat outside (admittedly with coats on).

But without knowing the temperature it really did look almost summery.

Crisp sunny winter days cheer me up almost as much as summer days. You do need the clothes for it though.

Books hols for Oct and Feb - a must ! I just missed my Oct hols and was miserable for a week.

plan your life so if the weather is sunny you can drop everything and sit in the sun (with a drink). Know where the sunny cafes or pubs are, even when the sun is low. This helps me a lot.

exercise in the garden if south facing. If north facing garden then sell the house and move !

I know it sounds daft but at this time of year I do into quite a big health kick mode…it gets me in better shape for Xmas celebrations and protects me more from winter bugs. Lots more fruit and veg, health foods that I don’t usually eat, online workouts at home. I have a break at Xmas, then carry on in January ready for the summer when I take the foot off the pedal a bit. It just distracts me from the dark and cold and gives me the energy I need to get through. I do have a very warm winter puffer jacket that feels like a cuddle though - it does help with getting out of the house.

Basically, I hate it. Born and bred in the UK loathe this time of year. Find the long nights, dreary days depressing. Only feel better once we get past the solstice and days start to get longer.

I struggle with it. But I manage with a combination of acceptance and adaptation. I have lived in seasonless places, and it can be a bit samey.
I try to live quite differently in winter / summer, and embrace the variety. Summer, outdoors a lot, sleep less, busy out and about at events etc.
Winter is reading, tv binging, cooking, early nights, friends round for dinner, indoor projects (summer is about the garden, winter is house jobs, making it nice to be indoors)
You definitely need to get outside in winter though, walks to a nice pub or cafe. Apparently you don't need actual sunshine to mitigate against vit D deficit, just daylight.
So anytime between 9am-3pm lol!

I'm British, but I really hate the winter! However, as a PP said, I think it makes a lot of sense to follow the natural rhythms of our bodies, things that our ancestors naturally did as a result of the darkness, which include a form of hibernation.

I take supplements, try to get out in the daylight every day, exercise regularly, but I also sleep lots and we always take at least one holiday in the winter. I find if I have a break from the grey gloom that sort of tides me over until the clocks go forward again and my mood lifts. It's hard! I look forward to retirement, when we can spend a big chunk of the winter somewhere sunny.

I agree with other posters. Once we’re past the winter solstice (only just over 6 weeks), I know in my mind, the hours of daylight are gradually getting longer, therefore heading in the right direction. It always takes me a couple of weeks to adjust to the clock change in October.

I find November and December the worst - not helped by this typical anticyclonic grey gloom we’re currently experiencing. A cold, crisp sunny day really lifts my mood and I try and get outside as much as possible to get as much natural light.

However depressing it is at this time of the year, I try and remind myself that the days are even shorter in Scandinavia now and in the northern part of Norway, they don’t see ANY full daylight between November 21 and January 21! I can’t imagine how awful that must be.

All you need to watch on the TV is this! Make sure to put the sound up too. ☀️🐚🏖️

It's hard but try to embrace the changing seasons. For me the dark winter makes the spring sweeter when it arrives 🌷🌱💐 I know that might not help you in Nivember, though!... Brightly coloured knitwear helps, I think - something that makes you smile and that you couldn't wear in the summer.

We have the worst of both worlds. Not cold enough for ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing and the things that make cold winters fun in other places. But miserable, wet, chilly, low light. And the TV is shite! I sympathise!

Pretend I'm a bird and fly away for the winter.

Go outside. Be in nature!! I love taking photos of moody foggy landscapes and frosty leaves. It makes you appreciate winter for what it is. If you're up north, look for the northern lights. Decorate your house in fairy lights and appreciate the darkness.

I really struggle, my mental health takes quite a hit 🙁 I'm a dog owner and will rer means mud, constant cleaning of mud, bathing the dog etc... I love my dog but I really don't cope well in winter.

I came on here to say this 🤭🤭🤭

I'm sorry op, whilst I do love this time of year the most, I appreciate it can be hard.

Do you not have some favourite tv shows to watch? I use this time to prioritise rest - do you have to some indoor things you've been wanting to do? Books to read or recipes to try?

If you're able, embrace it, as you have a lovely excuse not to have to do those obligations you don't want to x

I agree with this.

I love gardening and there is always something to do, or a new treasure to see. At the moment, my hellebores are making new leaves, the cotinus is turning glorious colours and the sparrows are very grateful for their daily feed.

Can anyone make a list of comforting food? I’m cooking chicken casserole (slow cooker) for tea with roasted veggies today.

But I run out of ideas quickly and it would be nice to have a little inspiration.

I frequently do beef stew and dumplings and chilli but would love to do more!

I have an open fire. It really does work to keep the winter blues away.

I’m in northern Europe, where there are only a couple of hours of day light. Spend a lot of time in the fresh air if you can, before lunch!

Our houses are always warm, but I sleep with my window open no matter how cold it is outside. At day care the children sleep outside.

We have lots and lots of smaller lights on everywhere in the house. Lots of light in the mornings to activate the brain is important. Not too much coffee.

Do not watch TV in the dark with only the light from the TV. It’s really bad and can cause depression. Vitamin D. Nice winter food. Open the windows a bit every day for fresh air. Have small things to look forward to, like maybe going to concerts.

Fool your brain by only thinking about what you enjoy doing and not what you don’t enjoy (the dark and how tired you are 😂).

Lots of nice (not tacky!!) lights in our gardens, trees and bushes, especially December-March. When you drive into our road it’s like a festival of lights, it’s beautiful.

Lower the expectations on yourself. It’s natural to be more tired.

Those of us that come from northern Sweden think all of the daylight you have in England is a blessing!

We embrace winter with candlelight, songs, foliage and preparing the ground for spring. Mid winter is short lived, and we have milder seasons now. Find a way to use the time productively.

I feel you, SAD got hit me pretty hard last year and I was determined for that not to happen the same way this year. So far I am feeling good this season. The biggest things for me have been going to the gym 3x a week (for physical health of course but I enjoy my workouts so much it helps my mood be less affected by the grey weather & endless rain and mud) and increasing group social activities where I can so I'm not just sitting at home moping about the weather and the lack of light - I have something fun and creative and social to look forward to. I do have a Lumie SAD light but not sure what impact it's having. I think that's one of those things that gives you a little lift but won't make all the difference.

I much much prefer summer but there is something like in all seasons. I would hate to live somewhere without the variety of very different seasons.

The trick with Nothern European winters is to go outside as much as you can when it is light. Also lean in to it. A lot of Nothern European winter customs - winter festivals, lights, heavier food etc.. are adopted for a reason. Finally remember this - another 8 weeks or so and we will have tirned the year and and be on the slow march towards lighter evenings again.