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

I am not fussed about the dark because I have to get up at 5am for work so it's only really light from May-September anyway.

However I hate the cold.

I am OK in the run up to Christmas as it's a novel change of seasons, autumn is very pretty and there is lots going on.

But I really struggle January-May. I have had enough of it by then and just want some leaves on the trees and some warmth in the air.

Last winter was so cold and awful I really am dreading January. I know this is rather a reductive viewpoint and I don't really mean it, but whenever I read about global warming I think "good, bring it on".

Lumie hasn't helped me, and neither do daylight-type light bulbs, but what has been worth every penny is my Lite pod light box www.sad.co.uk/en-UK/Litepod-Company-LitePod-SAD-Light/20301sdmp.htm?colour=White+Light&sku=12926&productid=332&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20API&gclid=Cj0KCQjwguDeBRDCARIsAGxuU8bQvscapYHbHmlKij6JRBfsftiRBigPmBBA8nZUwUfGj54bjBHfzvgaAr66EALw_wcB

(Argh- how do you do clicky links on a mobile?!)

I have it on my desk at the bottom of my monitor, and it makes a huge difference: I have severe treatment-resistant depression anyway, but using the pod really makes an appreciable difference. If my parents weren't still alive, though, I would leave the UK as I find my SAD is so much more severe here and I've had such relief when living abroad.

Has anyone tried the glasses? I've been eyeing up the Luminette ones for a while, but money's quite tight at the moment - I don't move my pod, though technically it's portable, as I am worried about damaging it, but I would like something to use on non-work days - and I like the idea of being able to crack on without having to carve out 40 minutes to stare into the light, whilst having the bonus effect of looking like Robocop

Thanks, op, for this new thread - it's nice not to be alone

SAD lamps - I have the Phillips blue light one and it is great. I'm not sure they make that particular model anymore though. It only takes 15-30 minutes with the blue lamps but I've been aiming for an hour. I keep thinking I should hook up a lamp to a cheap plug timer to come on in the morning as I can't afford a Lumie lamp, but haven't got around to it yet.

Yes with the carb cravings
I’m determined to join the gym to pass the dark evenings.

research 

It's still early days my lovely. Please don't expect too much of yourself.

BTW that's an awesome pizza.

We're Currently carving pumpkins. Badly.

I believe I was born in the wrong country, I identify with living in a hot country. I hate being cold. I despise the dark nights. I feel for all of you. And having to working with people who throw windows open and dramatically gasp if the heating is on Some great advice re vitamin D. I do try and go for walks and it does make me feel better but some days it is just too much of an effort.

Hmmm. Seems like only yesterday some of us were complaining about the sun!!!

I don't like extremes in temperature but it is only recently that the cold has really started to bother me. I do not have enough warm tops. Most are half sleeved t shirts.

I was in a big Sainsbury's at lunchtime stroking their fleecy pyjamas! I never used to wear anything in bed. Now to be naked is unthinkable!!

We need more garden jacuzzis and Finnish saunas in the UK. We had a wonderful winter jacuzzi and sauna at a B&B in France and it makes the cold much less depressing.

Can I join the club?

For me, I fear the snow, or to be more precised, the ice and disruption that occurs afterwards. Fresh snow is okay, people people can still walk around and do everyday things and it looks pretty. The novelty definitely wears off when the ice sets in, and you can’t get anywhere. I worry that if I hurt myself, I dan’t Get to the hospital etc.

For me, a perfect winters day is when it snows in the morning, looks all nice and pretty, but the snow has melted by midday.

I have found my people!
It is definitely the dark oppressive weather where it is grey for days that gets to me. I also hate being cold, naturally a cold person so loved this Summers heatwave. Lapped up all the sun I could.
However even on cold sunny days I feel so much better, motivated and I can do this. Grey, wet, cold days like today I just want to hibernate, have a hot bath every evening - when I really should be doing other things.
Always get blocked sinus' and last year. Early this year had to take prescription strength vit d as my levels were so low.
I am planning on having a blood test at Dr.s to see how I am doing and whether high or low doses are required.

Oh my - the carb craving - the always cold and crabby feelings of gloom - the penny's dropped ... in suffering from SAD !

And what adds to it everyone walking around trying to stay warm so they look miserable.
Everyone in dark clothes.

Hi
Can I join you? I usually end up on antidepressants at this time of ear. I've decided to try to have a whole year without them, as they make me so sleepy and unmotivated, but the anxiety is creeping back and so is the tearful-over-nothing feeling.
I'm trying to do better self-care, get lots of fresh air, cut back on sugar and massively cut back on alcohol.
I have Vitamin D spray, vitamins and a daylight lamp on standby.

Good things about winter:
candlelight and Christmas lights
log fires
homemade soup
carols
frosty walks
long hot baths with a book

I can't find the post but someone suggested being out in their garden all year round. It's something I've never thought of although I'm outside a lot with the horses. We're very rural and I think that can make things worse in winter for me. DH has bought really bright halogen lights for the garden and they've been put up today at the back of the house as well as the sides. What a difference it makes seeing light outside! We had intruder lights before but these ones are brighter and I can keep them on. Hopefully the lights will arrive for the arena in the next few days so I can ride at night.

I joined group fitness classes in June and will keep those up 4 times a week, exercise makes me feel so much better! I've also joined a boxercise group class twice a week. I've decided to keep as busy as possible and hopefully the winter will whizz by...

Someone asked about light bulbs. I buy mine from here but Amazon also sell them.

I feel like my mood just flicked today. I’m in bed already

yy harry.
I'm probably more suited to somewhere proper hot California or australia than the UK climate.
Our summer heatwave was bliss, the heat didn't bother me at all.

@Harrykanesrightsock, yes! That’s what’s wrong with me, I’m a heat lover in a cold lover’s country. Now do you think we can get the NHS to fund our country change?

Marking to comeback and read later - I live in the north of Scotland so we have fabulously long summer evenings (in fact for most of June it's never really dark ) but then we get the long dark winter nights ...

I'm interested in the theory that most of us dark/cold/winter haters are summer borns. My birthday is May and April - June is definitely my favourite time of the year, and not just because it's my birthday. And despite the hayfever.

Struggling a bit today. We're having work done in the house and I really can't get out because the builders are constantly asking questions which I need to be around to answer. Going a wee bit stir crazy. DH doesn't "get it" as life for him is carrying on as normal and he never sees the builders. I'm trying to work while people bang and crash in the room next door, and if I want a coffee I have to fill the kettle from the bath tap.

Oh well. 51 days tomorrow until the solstice.

I’m a complete Winter hater. I suffer from very severe Raynauds and dread the cold months. I have to have 2 baths in hot water a day just to have circulation in my feet. I have young children and have days when I simply can’t do up their coats/shoes/seat belts because my hands are dead (have to ask older child to do them). I’m sure I also have SAD (I’m prone to low mood but it’s worse in Winter). To top it off my birthday is at the end of January and I never really enjoy it because of the weather. At least I know from this thread I’m not alone!! I’d love to emigrate to Aus. (Not said flippantly - I really would!!)

I'm interested in the theory that most of us dark/cold/winter haters are summer borns.

As a winterborn, I must be one of the exceptions that prove that rule

I’m at least enjoying the temporary relief of lighter mornings this week, but not liking the already-dark afternoons at all.

I'm interested in the theory that most of us dark/cold/winter haters are summer borns

My birthday is on the shortest day of the year so I'm an exception to that rule too. I actually think having a birthday so close to Christmas contributes to me hating winter. I've always felt as though I've missed out on having a proper birthday because it all gets swept up in the Christmas nonsense and often gets forgotten, and I never feel like going out because its too dark and cold and everywhere is full of Christmas parties.

I've started my vitamin D today and went for a run last night so that is positive.

Any tips for managing chilblains? My first batch of the season arrived last week on some toes 😕 it wasn’t even THAT cold here then (east Anglia)

Chilblains
No tips but feel your pain