If you struggle in the Winter you are very welcome here

[hobnobsaremyfavourite]

On the back of my other thread today
Anyone welcome here to share tips for those of us who struggle with our physical and mental health over the winter

Hi guys thank you for the thread
I took up running recently but I didn’t run for the last month using the weather as an excuse. I started feeling mad sluggish and couldn’t get motivation for anything then.
So I started running again and at the end of the day you warm up in a few minutes so the weather dsnt matter.
Thank you for all the tips.
Also my plan is for the really wet days do a gym / swim day to get out of the house.
And also just get up get dressed up the weekend just to go for a coffee and walk around the shops. Feel good and maybe bump into people I know and just have the craic brighten up the day.

Sounds like a great plan Bubba1234, might do the same myself. I gave up running in the heatwave and never started again (anything for an excuse!). Autumn sunshine is a good motivator

Cakemonger I think you have totally misinterpreted me. I guarantee that on every thread about winter (including the one that referred me here) there will be people who say that it's ace because you can spend it snuggled under a blanket with a movie. I'm saying that viewpoint is quite childlike and simplistic, it is not that easy because there is actual life that has to go on. I'm battling fairly awful depression myself and dreading winter as I know it will make it worse. But I have to go on because my children depend on me. I use the one childfree day I get each week to see a counsellor. Being told I just need to pull myself together and light a candle or something gives me the rage. Light and warmth just makes everything seem much easier.

I thought you were referring to this thread DrCoconut, and because you said 'wittering on about movies' I took it you were referring to my post and others like it. If you were referring to people in general pointing out what they like about winter I didn't get that. I hope you don't struggle too much this winter

And yes, light and warmth make everything a hundred times easier

For sure I started in the heatwave so to me not being able to breath is what I got used to lol the cold air hitting the back of my throat now is a new sensation.
But il plough on
Once it’s not wet and snow or ice there really is no excuse

Think I'll get some vit d

Holland and Barrett were doing vit d I assume they are the cheapest place?

Glad I found you all here! Everything PPs have said already I identify with. I've spent the summer painting most rooms in the house bright white and replacing bulbs with halogen. I do like the count down to Christmas thing. I have a 'thing' I do at the end of January, where I tell myself 'only 6 weeks to go'. Mid March is when I start to improve.

In the spring sales I bought myself an expensive coat for this winter. Its two coats... a duvet one inside a windproof, waterproof outer layer. Each can be worn separately if you fancy. Also, snow boot style boots with thick soles. I find if my feet are up on a thick sole away from freezing ground, they stay warmer than just adding more socks.

Can anyone recommend dose of Vit D? I'm sure a doctor friend told me it was much higher than you think. I might have to WhatsApp him and check.

I can feel my mood dropping already. Hate it.

I had awful depression last winter (which actually went on into about May, but it was the awful winter that set it off)
I find the dark evenings almost physically oppressive, like they sre suffocating me. I loved the hot summer - in summer I stay outside until as late as possible - just pottering in the garden or whatever.
It is worse this time because i have been physically unwell for over 3 months - and am having a big wound dressed every day, and that is stopping me getting any real exercise - I can't walk all that far without pain.

I find myself thinking about Spring all the time, an dtrying to make plans for a holiday and what flowers I'm going to plant in the garden.
Does a SAD lamp help ? I've got artificial daylight bulbs in my lamps at the moment, and I've been told pink bulbs are good.
I really feel I was not designed to live in a cold country (was anyone ?)I need sunlight and warmth - I am the human equivalent of a tortoise

Apparently we should be taking 1,000 international units of Vit D.

I thought it was more VIT d than that to get your levels up.

Thank you for this thread OP

I take 20mg fluoxetine and have been thinking of going to Dr to get the dosage increased.
But having read others posts about Vit D I'm going to give it a try.
My mood is always low between November and February but I usually can cope however I have a big family occasion coming up and it is stressing me right out.

I think it might be more if you need to get your levels back up from rock bottom. But mine were ok when last tested in Sept. 1,000 is a maintenance dose according to my GP friend.

Exercise
Seriously

Also I’m busy with work. That distracts me from thinking constantly about the weather as well.

Thinking back to the winters I didn't struggle too much, they were the pre-dc ones when I went to the gym every day, had a counsellor, weekly cocktails and a sunbed .

Today has been good
Gym session and a lovely cold sunny walk this afternoon
Think this week is the easy bit as I am on leave
Next week when back in work will be trickier
Am def going to look into vitamin D supplements

I've just ordered these

I hate winter too! My DH always says 'don't worry, you'll feel better in the spring' but it's so far away! I don't really mind the weather and love it if we have a bit of snow, but it is the relentless darkness I hate. As a PP said I hate closing the curtains/blinds and don't in the bedroom unless it is really freezing - I like to see any glimmer of light from the moon or stars during the night. I'd rather have an extra throw on the bed and breathe fresh air.

I do a countdown to the shortest day, and once the madness of Christmas and New Year is over, I do start to feel better. Although we get the coldest weather after New Year, the light is improving every day and by early Feb it is noticeable. Hang in there! Only another 9 weeks to go to next year.

I’ve been taking vitamin D for a couple of years which definitely takes the edge off. I’m in better mood and have more energy on those awful, cold, dark mornings than I was before I discovered it.

But I still find the dreary afternoons and dark evenings depressing and although I actually genuinely do enjoy being ‘cosy’ it can easily slide into lethargy and depression for me if I’m just sitting indoors night after night on the sofa eating carbs .

I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and attempt more exercise this year!

A strong SAD lamp that you only need to use for 20 mins - use twice daily and any other time you feel you need to! Make the most of any available sunlight. The weekend here has been bright sunlight, crystal-clear skies but cold. I walked into the sun for almost an hour and definitely helped.

Last year after 20 years of suffering SAD went to the doctor beg. of October as it really hit me hard - found if difficult to leave the house and do normal everyday tasks. Got anti-depressents. 20mg fluoxetine- same as another poster. couldn't sleep for a few days then bingo they worked a treat. Mind felt sharper, more energy and it was like the dark days weren't happening. Definitely give them a try if its bad.

Not been back this year - SAD still here but not quite so bad(yet anyway) - think its been the bright days. However still lethargic, don't want to go out at night et. I am counting down the weeks anyway till December is over.

Thank you for this thread. I'm another who finds the colder and darker months tough.

I've found as I've got older it helps to be more strategic about self-care and there are some great ideas here. I try to be proactive instead of waiting to feel low.

I take a multi-vit along with vitamin D and weather permitting try to get out for a run or walk a few times each week. I also make sure I have a flu jab each autumn.

I experimented with some of the hygge ideas, and have progressed to some elements of seasonal home decor. This has developed over several years, starting with cushions and candles and this year have bought new curtains for the front room. I'm actually enjoying embracing these seasonal changes and so find it helps my overall well-being. So we have bright coloured cushions in spring & summer with vases of fresh flowers and rarely close the curtains to let in lots of lovely light.

In Autumn and winter I change the cushion covers for textured materials, swap flowers for candles, light the lamps early / use a timer and now have thick, winter curtains to shut the outside out.

This thread has reminded me to look for a replacement for my broken alarm clock / light.

Hate it hate it hate it.

Misery descends and does not lift until March.

Glad I'm not alone.

Day trips. Seriously. That’s my only piece of advice for the winter blues really.