To feel depressed by it getting dark so early

[Poetrypatty]

... And only going to get worse. I think that Boris press conference today didn't help. Feel miserable going into another winter of all this crap and the effort of keep trying to keep mine and dcs mood up.

And dark mornings too, it comes round so quick

YABU to use the word depressed in what seems a light hearted way (unless you’re depressed)

It goes quickly too though.

I am okay til about October usually - once the Christmas things go up in the shops, I want to put my head down until January

YABU to use the word depressed in what seems a light hearted way (unless you’re depressed)

Depressed can mean many levels of mood. I say that as someone who has been taking ADs for 25 years. And the OP doesn’t sound very light hearted.

YABU to use the word depressed in what seems a light hearted way (unless you’re depressed)

No offence intended. I feel like I'm on the edge of actually being depressed, really struggling with mood. But it's because of the relentlessness of everything and being prone to SAD. Also I have a hobby which really helps my MH and feel worried in case restrictions come back which mean it'd have to stop again.

Yes I hear you! Hate the dark afternoons/mornings.' Depressed' can mean different things to different people . No apology required OP.xx

No, yanbu - it means winter, the horrible weather, commuting in the dark, short days and my SAD are just around the corner. Hate hate hate the next few months

The dark mornings really seem to have come round fast. It doesn't seem long since it was light before 5 am and now I'm sure its dark until well after 6 am.

I think I have the opposite of SAD - I don’t like summer but love Autumn and Winter and like that it gets dark early, but I’m sorry that you’re struggling OP.

@Burtknowsbest

I think I have the opposite of SAD - I don’t like summer but love Autumn and Winter and like that it gets dark early, but I’m sorry that you’re struggling OP.

Me too!

Normally I hate it but I’m less bothered at the moment as the summer was too hot for me so I’m looking forward to some cooler temperatures, just a shame it comes with shorter days.

Also, surely people recognise the difference between someone saying they feel depressed about something and someone suffering from depression.

I was thinking the same this morning and when I had to put my lights on driving home from work. Life feels so much happier with light evenings and mornings.

I'm with you. I can't bear the encroaching short days and long nights although autumn does bring its compensations, like the beautiful v formations of migrating pink-footed geese that constantly fly over (I saw my first one this evening). September is often a lovely month but November through to solstice is my least-liked time of the year. January is good: I love seeing the daylight hours draw out little by little and knowing my favourite season of spring is just around the corner.

Feeling depressed in mood and clinical depression are two quite different things, I'd have thought.

What’s SAD?

I love the dark mornings and nights, but I’m not a huge sun lover really and hate it on my face.

I'm usually ok until after new year, it's the bit between new year and spring that seems the most awful to get through to me. From now until Xmas there's lots of things to look forward to then after new yr a vast expanse of nothing until the weather warms up, which went on until about June this year

I love the early nights. Cosy

@GiveMeAUserName123

What’s SAD?

I love the dark mornings and nights, but I’m not a huge sun lover really and hate it on my face.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (Autumn/Winter Depression).

Thanks for the kind words and my sympathy to those feeling similar.

SAD = Seasonal Affective Disorder. Having the opposite thing sounds good! although not in summer I suppose.

autumn does bring its compensations, like the beautiful v formations of migrating pink-footed geese that constantly fly over (I saw my first one this evening).
This is so beautifully put, and a reminder to get out into nature, thank you.

SAD is real and with even the smallest possibility of covid restrictions this year I’m sure you’re not alone in dreading winter. Some ideas to mitigate the effects. •get as much light in. Clean windows, wash nets if you have them (or dump them) •declutter and make your home cosy rather than cavelike- so chuck out manky throws and replace with something warm but fresh looking. •sort out anything that will makes getting outside easier, so fix your bike, match up gloves, take winter boots to the cobblers and winter coat to dry cleaners. •set goals. Weekly flowers, Saturday morning coffee with a friend, c25k etc.

I think a lot of it can be changed by our mindset.
Instead of focusing on all the things you don’t like about Autumn/Winter, think of the things you do like.

For example, things I love about Autumn and Winter are:
Cosy evenings in watching movies
Snuggling on the couch with a good book
Comforting stews with dumplings
Chilly and muddy dog walks, all bundled up
Soft lighting
Halloween, Bonfire night & Christmas
Root veg soups

If it’s actual depression, please do go and seek help though. No amount of positive thinking will help a chemical imbalance.

@Etinox

SAD is real and with even the smallest possibility of covid restrictions this year I’m sure you’re not alone in dreading winter. Some ideas to mitigate the effects. •get as much light in. Clean windows, wash nets if you have them (or dump them) •declutter and make your home cosy rather than cavelike- so chuck out manky throws and replace with something warm but fresh looking. •sort out anything that will makes getting outside easier, so fix your bike, match up gloves, take winter boots to the cobblers and winter coat to dry cleaners. •set goals. Weekly flowers, Saturday morning coffee with a friend, c25k etc.

Great post thank you!

I will add 'plant bulbs' I did that last year fearing the worst from Covid restrictions and it was really something to look forward to.

Also one thought that helped me with my SAD was realising that yes, the days are getting shorter but by just before Christmas they start getting longer again so I spend time between Sep and Dec thinking about and planning for Christmas and then know that the sunlight hours are gradually increasing after that.

The lack of sunlight/daylight is awful - going to work and coming home in the dark, lunchtime & weekend walks curtailed because it’s pouring down or sleeting/snowing. Living in darkness. Defrosting car windscreens. Central heating on. Stodgy food. Icy roads and pavements. Very little plant life. Bleak landscapes. There’s not enough scented candles or fluffy throws in the world that can make up for the misery of winter. Loathe it with a passion.

Thanks for this kind advice. I could realistically take some positive action, definitely need to declutter and replace some light bulbs as well. Will get the SAD lamp out.

The finding particular autumn things to look forward to is harder, although walks outside is good. With the lockdowns though I've had enough of local walks and days/evenings in. But giving it some thought is probably wise, and try to plan a couple of nice things.

@Bookaholic73

I think a lot of it can be changed by our mindset. Instead of focusing on all the things you don’t like about Autumn/Winter, think of the things you do like.

For example, things I love about Autumn and Winter are:
Cosy evenings in watching movies
Snuggling on the couch with a good book
Comforting stews with dumplings
Chilly and muddy dog walks, all bundled up
Soft lighting
Halloween, Bonfire night & Christmas
Root veg soups

If it’s actual depression, please do go and seek help though. No amount of positive thinking will help a chemical imbalance.

Lots of great tips.

It does depend on the chemical imbalance- some activities, ways of thinking etc. can have a huge impact on the release of neurotransmitters. Some types of Depression do require medication though and CBT therapy can help too.