Darker nights affecting moods!

[strawberryjeans]

I loved dark, cosy nights as a child. Coming home from school and putting the telly on or reading a book. I can do these things as an adult - obv - but why does the cosiness feel so much less when you’ve got to do adult things like the food shop, commuting home from work, cooking 😂

Last year they really affected my moods and I found it so much harder to be productive. Does anyone else find this? I’m taking Vitamin D and trying to get some midday sunlight where I can but not sure how else to combat the winter gloominess!

Yes, I also notice that my energy really drops when it's darker. I used to live a little closer to the Equator and those years were the most productive I've ever had! Light makes me feel like Superwoman.

What helps me now is to exercise first thing each morning. Not only is the exercise very effective, getting light first thing wakes me up. There are certain processes that go on in our bodies on a schedule and when it's dark during the day, things can go haywire. I often struggle to sleep until very late if I don't get light first thing. I also have a sunlight (intense light) lamp that I stare at when I wake up.

Another thing I do, which I learned from having grown up in a very rainy place where people often get depressed, is to surround myself with bright colours. If you could paint your kitchen yellow, that would be a good place to start.

It's great you're taking vitamin D. I do too. But make sure you're paying attention to other nutrients. Are you getting enough iron? Many women have a deficiency. I was surprised to find out mine was very low and felt much better as soon as I started taking supplements. Do you eat enough vegetables?

As for the commute, is there any way you could take public transportation so you're not wearing yourself out? Maybe if you could read a book or chat with people on the way to work, you'd feel better. Or would that be more stressful where you are? Good luck.

Yes. In school as well there were holidays every few weeks. For adults it's a bit relentless!

Maybe preparing for Christmas is a way of being busy.

A light box sounds like it would be a great fit for you.