Can you become a winter person? Maybe we could try together?

[LoreleiGilmore]

I once read a thread on here about becoming a morning person - it was so useful but annoyingly I can’t find it! It was all about helping yourself through the transition to the day through sensory experiences - so having a fluffy dressing gown/slippers/rug to use as soon as you got up, good smelling coffee, going outside to drink it in the garden to feel the quiet and scent of the morning air. It was lovely but I can’t find it anymore - does anyone remember it?

I want to apply the same logic to try and become a winter person. I find as the days get darker I start to feel really low and unhappy. I miss sunshine, long evenings, iced coffee, eating salads and feeling full, the smell of the air. Wearing a dress and sandles and being ready to go.

I need to safeguard against becoming super depressed, putting on weight and just feeling awful. Does anyone have any tips on how to ease the transition into winter? Here’s what I have so far:

• have a warm candle lit shower as soon as I get back from work with a nice smelling shower gel

*make the house (esp my bedroom) super cosy. Have indulgently brought a linen spray from Zara so bed smells heavenly and want to buy a really thick and heavy wool blanket (where can I get one from that doesn’t cost £££?)

• light nice candles in the evening to feel cosy (go to Aldi/Ikea for budget friendly options?)

• improve winter wardrobe. I hate all the winter layers. So heavy and then suddenly you feel so overheated as soon as you get on a train/into a shop/the office. What should I be wearing?

*skin care - my lips are so dry and skin is getting worse too as drinking less water. What could help? I heard using nipple cream is a good lip balm sub but not finding it amazing tbh.

• think of nice, filling winter meals - stews and soups that are not super carb-y and stodgy. Maybe invest in a slow cooker so dinner is ready to come home to... is this worth it?

*how can I find the motivation to exercise when it’s so bloody dark all the time?

*use the long evenings to start some long series guilt-free. What should we be watching?

*make something lovely to drink and listen to some great podcasts/audiobooks on commute to so that the dark and ice don’t feel so depressing. Any recommendations for a)drinks cup that will stay warm and b)great stuff to listen to?

Any other tips? Is it even possible to become a winter person?

This is a really interesting thread as I had to do a similar thing for myself in summer. It's my least favorite season and I had to force myself to embrace it.

One of the main things involved food and drink and trying to prepare seasonal dishes to make the most of the available produce. You should subscribe to BBC good food if you haven't already as they have lots of seasonal suggestions.

A wardrobe audit is a good idea too, and have a look on Pinterest for winter outfit ideas.

An fleecy electric blanket on the bed

Heated throw on the sofa

Sheepskin boots and decent wool socks - thin cotton socks in winter is a BIG NO

Fleece lined mittens

Long down coat

Fairy lights outside the house - look so welcoming to come home to

A real fire, failing that a pretend one like this calor gas one that looks like a wood burning stove:

like this

Baileys hot chocolate

Long walks in the country then home to a casserole made with dumplings, use egg rather than suet.

What a lovely thread. I live in warmer climes and believe it or not I actually miss Autumn and Winter proper.
So for me, even though it’s still 23 odd degrees in the day, it’s been about Getting The Duvet Out (a big day here!), buying a couple of seasonal plants now that there’s less chance of them being frazzled, and getting the dehumidifier out. It’s not so cold but it’s damp.
Nice autumnal candles and the throws are out. Considering making some apple pie and other such festive delights.

Last year I bought a dawn SAD lamp and it helped me feel better in the mornings.

I need to get it out of the cupboard this week and plug it in again.

Love this thread! Lots of good ideas mentioned, I especially like the idea of getting everything ready for the morning so you don’t have to think - I find getting up so hard when it’s dark. I have a few friends (including DH) who get up at the same time as I do for work (6am) if not before, so I like to think of them when I’m feeling miserable, and that I’m not alone getting ready.

Other things I’m doing:

Epsom salts in the bath, sometimes with essential oils (lavender mostly, eucalyptus is nice when you have a cold!). I sit my laptop on a stool and watch Netflix or take a book in the bath.

Paying attention to where I am in my cycle and trying to ride the waves so to speak - I felt especially down this morning then realised my period is due in 2 days.

DH is going to get a proper SAD lamp for work and I might get one for home.

More candles - I like pure beeswax as they purify the air too (apparently!)

I might invest in an oil burner - any recommendations?

Long walks with our dog, then hot chocolates and a film, board games and all that jazz

Yoga and meditation - I don’t always feel like it but I’ve never regretted it when I’ve done it. It’s great for restoring some peace and wellbeing.

Eating well - lots of fruit and veg, not calorie counting but packing in the nutrients, not feeling guilty when I do eat chocolate or cake 😉

Accepting invites to things I want to go to, but declining those I don’t (i.e. work party 1.5 hours away!)

My DH says I spend more on candles than electricity but I do like a warm glow! I have, however, discovered battery operated candles and love them. They come in all sizes and I especially like the Costco ones!
Think they make rooms looks super cozy.

I don’t like bulky layers and only wear duck down coats when it’s very cold out. I think you need to invest in the right clothing and a winter wardrobe.

Following this thread with interest! I struggle each year in the January- April period - I like this time up until Christmas as lots going on so don’t have too much time to feel the full effects of SAD. Def inspired to get some hygge in my life & maybe some ugg slippers!

I love all your suggestions and need to take some of them on board myself as I'm the same.

If you haven't discovered it yet, check out a podcast called 'My Dad Wrote a Porno'. Start at the beginning though and listen through (about four series). It's laugh out loud funny - in fact I've cried laughing and been in pain pretty often! Laughing is so so good for you. (It's not really porn - it's a guy and his friends reading a series of books that his dad wrote and their comments are brilliant and it's become a huge cult thing - hard to explain but worth checking out if you need cheering up. I actively look forward to Mondays now!)

For comfort: Uniqlo heattech and cashmere, new luxury towels and robe for mornings, dresses over fleece tights (pretty polly's are the most comfy I've found), wool duvet, sheepskin slippers, leather gloves (there are nice ones in Aldi at the moment), touch screen gloves, wool hat, a nice new winter coat if possible, Hush cashmere wristwarmers (a nice treat if a jumper is over budget), a cosy sofa throw

Also recommend: baths, shower and bath products with warming winter scents eg ginger or eucalyptus, Netflix, hot chocolate, trying new gins, bright LED lights (low lighting makes me feel more sluggish), repainting walls a nice bright white, enjoying foods only available in the shops until christmas, planting winter flowering plants in the garden, decorating home with lights

Most important things: getting out whenever it's sunny, walking or other exercise (I drive to the gym if necessary and say to myself I only have to do 10 minutes, always end up doing more), seeing people (in daytime for coffee if you hate dark evenings). Not doing too much of the cosiness and trying to get out where possible.

I enjoyed Signe Johansen's How to Hygge - nice pictures, encourages you to get out whatever the weather, some recipes in there too, might have a go at baking some scandinavian treats this winter

If you have the funds, nothing will beat having a holiday to look forward to, or failing that, some planned days out or events.

As for that period between January and April, I just don't know...

Oh, and remembering how awful and monotonous the heatwave was and being grateful for the change of seasons after a lifetime of wishing I lived in a sunny country. Just me?

A friend of mine is a PT and is absolutely adamant that the winter is the best possible time to improve your fitness significantly, because once you are over the hurdle of actually getting out in the cold / wet / dark, the cooler temperatures mean that you can push your body to do much more than you could in the summer. She reckons it’s one of the reasons why the London Marathon is so popular. So perhaps identify a springtime event (not necessarily the marathon!) as a goal and use the winter as a tool to get you there. You’ll have a two month head start on everyone who starts in January! The worst part of winter exercise is thinking about it. If you can get yourself out of the door then it is exhilarating.

@whenisitmyturn so many good ideas, thank you. I think I need to start a list. Or just come and live with you?!

I love this thread so much. So many great ideas, thank you! I’m going to write them down and woekmy way through them - maybe even do a winter bucket list with the kids.

I know you are talking about embracing winter, but you might consider light therapy to thwart winter somewhat. I recently bought my teen this alarm clock, which produces a simulated sunrise at a time of your choice: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M1BB9NV/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item?tag=mumsnetforum-21 Then I borrowed it while she was away for two weeks.

The gradual dawn, which is very bright by the time it's finished, really does trick me into thinking it's a sunny day and I'm ready to get up. I feel better rested and in an almost summery mood. Even switching it off and looking out the window into the cold dark reality doesn't totally ruin the effect.

I used to hate winter, but I concentrated on making the things I disliked as pleasurable as possible, and now even though I still prefer summer, I don't mind the winter at all.

For me it was:

Buying winter clothes I love. I've got some very expensive jackets and coats, which I really like wearing.

Warm up in a way you enjoy. Standing in the cold on a train platform is much better when I carry a flask of expensive brandy to warm myself up.

Share the misery. Seeing as everyone is feeling down, I meet up with people more in the winter and enjoy eating and drinking out more than I do in the summer.

Get a bird feeder.

Vitamin D supplements
craft activities (I never do these now, but I remember always looking forward to winter because I could "make things" for Christmas, like candles, decorations, cakes, embroidery)
buy some expensive wool and start knitting it!
echo the idea of a glamorous winter coat, mine is bright green and my heart lifts when I start wearing it again in November
patterned and coloured winter tights
sheepskin slippers from celtic sheepskin

oh and plant up some very early bulbs for february, crocuses and early daffs (don't have to be forced) or better still and amaryllis (which is) by december you will have green shoots in the garden
buy a small camellia or a skimmia and put in in a pot outside your door or a window box, buds will keep you going

I have a dread and hatred of dark winter evenings, so I suppose the only thing is focus on the day itself, and what you can do outside in the daylight when you can.

Oh yes, and Dr Who returning, and other drama series that aren't on summer, and perhaps a series of books that you haven't tried before (try Mumsnet books section for ideas)

It’s a humid 33 today and you can almost drink the air. So unpleasant. And my kids did an hour of tennis and half an hour of football in it. Even watching was miserable.

So I kind of envy your cool days today!

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this website but Lights4fun has soooo many different lights to make your home more cosy, and they are super cheap too! I have one of the wooden battery powered lanterns, and I put that on with a few candles whilst snuggled up on the sofa in the evenings, and it makes the place so cosy.

I've been on holiday in Scandinavia during the winter and stayed in some ridiculously cosy cottages. They tend to have candles galore. lamps, and lots of rugs etc. on the wooden floors. I try and channel it as much as I can in my own home! Dunelm have some gorgeous throws including the ones made with 'teddy' fabric which are so so warm. I've also spotted some flannel duvet covers in there which I'm very tempted by.

oh and plant up some very early bulbs for february, crocuses and early daffs (don't have to be forced) or better still and amaryllis (which is) by december you will have green shoots in the garden
buy a small camellia or a skimmia and put in in a pot outside your door or a window box, buds will keep you going

This is a good idea. I do miss having something going on in the garden over the winter months.

-Lots of exercise (swimming, Pilates for me)
-Lots of outdoor walking & nature
Keep up socialising even if just coffee/phone calls

• Self care - massages/haircuts/home pampering & meditation in bed on an electric blanket after a hot salt bath
• candles, books, puzzles, knitting, colouring, writing, cooking

This is such a Brilliant thread!
I'm a fan of brushed cotton sheets from M&S and Next and I love my electric blanket. My house is freezing so I may investigate the heated throw idea for the sofa!

Also love winter foods, all the hearty stews that can be made in advance and just heated up at night. My current fave cookbook is The Green Roasting Tin - basically vegetarian and vegan dishes created in the oven. There are some awesome comfort food recipes in there!

I try to go for a walk in daylight whenever the weather allows and have bought myself new wellies and coats to help make this a nicer experience!

There is a lot of excitement and thought put in to the first part of winter with the lead up to Christmas but its Jan and Feb when distraction is needed the most. We've got some gigs booked for feb and a spa day in Jan.

I've filled my garden with spring bulbs which start shooting up in the early year and last right through to May/june time. Snowdrops, crocuses, daffs, tulips. Brings lovely colour to the dark months. Also put up loads of birdfeeders for a bit of kitchen window birdwatching.

I thought being a morning person was largely to do with individual circadian rhythms and couldn't really be changed?

I love winter and Autumn. Cold clear blue skies, fog, seeing your breath when you breath, atmospheric grey days, cold clear air, cosiness inside, being dark at bedtime.. I actually start to feel low when the days lengthen and spring comes in. I think if you want to like winter you need to find things you genuinely like about it, however small,
and enjoy those.