How do you find happiness or enjoyment in winter?

[Incogg]

I'm already struggling with the cold and rain and dark. In summer, I often drive out to the countryside for a walk or to the coast for a swim in the sea. If nothing else I sit out in the garden enjoying the sun.
But for the last few weeks I feel like I get in from work, get some tea, and am then just wishing my life away until I can go to bed.

Does anyone else relate? And if not, how do you stay cheerful in winter?

Definitely going for walks whenever I can while the sun is out, to watch the leaves turning red and gold and to catch the last few unexpected flowers - there are poppies blooming in our garden right now. But even a moonlit walk, or an atmospheric dark afternoon walk is better than nothing.

I love getting up early and feeding wildlife then watching them all arrive to eat as the sun rises.

And running a deep bubble bath then reading while soaking.

I love the excuse to binge-watch films while recovering from a virus. This week, with post Covid fatigue, I watched NYAD which was brilliant and I ended up watching her TED talks too as she is so fascinating. Also watched Track about the Robyn Davidson, the young woman who trekked solo across 2000 miles of Australian desert with some wild camels she'd tamed. Two inspirational women who encouraged me to get back into g=doing some exercise routines as i let them slip since feeling so ill from Covid a few weeks ago.

Today's happiness came from cooking really wintery comfort food. Adult DS2 came home for a night and we wanted to celebrate seeing him after a few weeks absence. I tidied and cleaned the house and made it smell festive, lit candles and cooked beef casserole in red wine with fresh herb dumplings and panettone baked pudding for afters.

I also love booking things to look forward to, to make sure I don't hibernate all winter. Today I booked tickets for DS1's candlelit carol service (he sings in a choir), for a radio comedy live audience that I know DH loves, for a new play by a new writer who sounds very interesting, and a Christmas concert by some singers DH and I both love. None of these cost much - all much less than a takeaway meal. But they will keep us active over winter. DH has done the same - booked events for us to go to.

I make sure I get out every day. Long walk if it’s dry. A run if it’s raining. If the weather is atrocious, go to the gym or pool. Then do some do some baking or cooking at home.

Same @PinkRoses1245
I just put my lamps on , light a pumpkin spice candle and do the same stuff I usually do .
Kids go to bed at the same time , still watch the same tv shows etc , I go to same fitness classes .

I have a comfy garden chair just outside the back door and a couple of cosy throws just inside. In the winter I try really hard to wrap up and take my morning cuppa outside even if it's just for 10 minutes. Just that bit of fresh air, even if it's not quite light is very peaceful and makes me feel more positive about the winter.

And in the evenings, candles, soft lights, comfy clothes and lots of veggie bakes all work to make it feel less painful.

When it’s not wet, like once it’s cold enough for any mud to be solid etc, a winter walk is the best!
Rainy days - crafting, hibernating, playing piano, board games, playing with the kids etc all bring joy

I go for a long walk most weekends with my local Ramblers group.

Yes lean in. I find I love the lighter nights of the summer but winter also has benefits. Treat this as a time for unwinding and reflecting. Cosy your home up with candles and throws. Find some good books. Get some fancy hot drinks in for treats after a walk. Have some friends or family over for a good hearty meal and a board game. In the summer months we are all spending as much time outside as possible but we can still embrace the indoors now and do things we wouldn't do if we had the light. I have a couple of heated throws too which is lovely in front of the tv for a good drama or film. Also maybe consider a hobby/craft now have quieter times in the evening. Xxx

I cant really unwind or relax as i have my kids to look after and its full on. They have additional needs and don't go to sleep early. They need a lot of attention so sipping hot chocolate and reading books is a distant dream for me. Its always worse in winter too. In summer we can get out in the evenings and burn energy off, now we're stuck in from 4pm with them doing each other's heads in 😫 I am literally counting down the days until better weather and light nights.

This is my favourite time of year. I love walking in the park seeing the leaves turning, the hustle and bustle of people going Christmas shopping, the general anticipation of the holidays! It's an atmosphere rather than anything tangible.
I have my teenage daughter living with me and after her studies she comes down for dinner (or better yet makes it) and we have a nice evening watching a serial and chatting about this and that. I might do some crocheting too. Late dog walk when she goes up to bed then I stay up watch an episode or two of a show then read in bed before lights out! Not exciting, but a routine I'm sure is repeated in many houses. We do have a gas fire and if feeling it I'll light some candles too. Love it! Whether I'll love it quite as much when she goes away to uni next year remains to be seen, but I've always been fine in my own company.

@DrCoconut aw yes I painted a bit of a rosy pic there. Sorry about that. I too have a lot on here. My dd is under cahms and suffered with her mental health (17years). My dgs has additional needs too and I help out a lot with him. Myself struggle with bad health and can't work at the mo so money is tight. If I can fit in one of those things I suggested I feel slightly better. To be honest the most peace I get is on the loo 😂 Sorry if I sounded patronising in my reply to OP xxxx

I love this time of year - it's so cosy.

We have lots of cosy blankets, fairy lights and scented candles that smell of cooking or Christmas. Our tree is up so the living room looks all festive!

The op quite clearly says she gets IN from work after it’s dark so not sure all the “brisk walk in the autumn sunshine” brigade are going 🙄

I too hate dark weeks and months too op so I try to think of them as working my intellectual not physical muscles (I still go to the gym though. Exercise is the best mood lifter!) by reading, going to galleries etc connecting with old friends, cooking more etc etc)

that’s how I try and put a spin on it.

Some Christmas lights and a Floof though he is trilling at 1am.

Swimming, sauna, steam, room, jacuzzi.

Gardens with lights.

Events out like dinners.

Have things scattered throughout winter to look forward to such as a play, ice skating, meal with friends etc.

Also I get out in the light as much as I can. At weekends I go for long walks,which tire me out so I'm happy to be in once it's dark and then watch some tv. I also go to bed earlier in winter which means I wake up earlier even at weekends and get the most of the daylight.

Also take vit D and magnesium

I go to the gym three times a week no matter what the weather - good to find some exercise which is not weather-dependent. Plus a yoga class.

Go for a walk in daylight hours as much as possible to get the tiny amounts of sunshine/melatonin.

Cook and eat good hearty satisfying food - home made soup often sees off any sniffles. Take Floradux tablets twice a day for iron and B vitamins.

Good bedtime routine and try to get plenty of sleep - usually not a problem when it's cold and dark.

Very moderate alcohol consumption.

Enjoy lots of good books, TV, and films.

I stay indoors and keep warm. Looking out of the window knowing you don't have to go out can be very cheering. A hot drink just makes it better.

Get outside as much as possible, go for a walk and get a coffee. Make your house a nice cosy place to be when you're home with candles, blankets, a nice mug etc.

I think it's about enjoying the small things in winter.

Having a holiday and a few days out in winter really helps I find. The other thing is having a regular sauna, which fortunately is also a weekday social thing as well.

Good clothes help so much - I look for silk vests, cashmere content in jumpers. I don’t like the feeling of constriction at all. Natural fibres can be lightweight but still much warmer than synthetics.

The vest I’m wearing at the moment was a charity shop dress cut down. I’ve also just made a kidney warmer and wrist warmers from a jumper I forgot in the wash and shrunk. I always check the wool content of jumpers in charity shops for a bargain. I line my boots with insoles I cut from the reflective foam stuff that goes behind radiators. I keep gloves in my car.

Buy decent thermals, walking boots and a best you can afford winter jacket, go for a power walk at the weekend, pop into your local on way home for a tea/brandy. Borrow a dog if need be!

Do any indoor outstanding jobs in the evenings. Boring but hey it gets ticked off the list, clean oven, defrost freezer, sort out a spice cupboard.

Escape into fiction.

Enjoy a warm bath, they aren't as much fun in summer.

Plan and book your summer holiday.

Would you consider moving? I’ve moved abroad and am much happier.

Lean into it!

I went for a walk up a local hill in the rain and howling wind. Absolutely loved it! Makes you feel really alive to be out in wild weather like that!

( But keep it short! If you stay out so long you are soaked through and freezing and still at least half an hour till you get home, it sucks)

I try and exercise in the evening, in the summer I don’t exercise as I’m out and about so much but I feel one thousand times better if I exercise my way through winter. Just you tube videos but that makes all the difference to me.

obviously getting out in the day as well whenever you can.

I hate it too, OP.

It’s not cold, it’s dark and grey and wet all the bloody time. Christ knows where these “lovely long walk in winter sunshine” lot are living, the garden is a swamp and it’s been raining for weeks.

I cope by having things to look forward to, at least one a fortnight. Going to the cinema, comedy, a sketching workshop, the Christmas ballet, an overnight trip to see friends, that sort of thing.

I also pick up my knitting in winter, or get to the sewing machine. Creating something definitely makes me feel more positive.

November is the month to plant tulips. Imagining the flowers I’ll have in April and May cheers me up.

This...and ..fluffy throws, candles 😁. Read up on HYGGE ...xxx