To wonder if those who love winter have very robust mental health or very happy lives?

[Comedycook]

So I was thinking about this after reading a thread about weather. Lots of posters saying how they loved winter...some even said they love the dark evenings and what really surprised me was the poster who said they loved dark, cold mornings. I assumed everyone hated these!

Now I'm not in a terrible place mentally and I'm not depressed but I do find the dark, rainy, cold days do affect my mood. When the evenings are warm and light I feel so much happier.

I'm really interested in how others don't feel that the winter brings them down and actually enjoy it. Are they naturally happier, more positive type people?

I love the dark nights as it means all my favourite things are on their way - Strictly, Halloween, Christmas, snow (sometimes!) But I’m not a super positive person, I’m prone to anxiety and have had depression in the past. Winter is definitely my favourite time of year. I had a couple of summers where I felt really miserable as a kid (caused by having problems at school etc, but nothing particularly major) and warm weather has always made me feel a bit anxious ever since. Stupid really as obviously the issues were nothing to do with it being summer, but that’s how the brain works sometimes I guess!

I like that there's less going on out in the community, meaning we get more time to bunker down at home with our loved ones, it's like the world slows down for a few months. I love the sensation of cosiness which you can't really get in the summer months.

That said I wouldn't want to feel this way all year round. I love the contrast between seasons, I only appreciate the stillness of winter because we have chance to grow and get back out there in the spring.

Apologies, I hadn't seen the suicide post when I wrote that.

Drawing the curtains, having lights on inside- it’s cosy and restful. No expectations that you should be outside doing things.

I hate waking up in the winter but on my drive to work when I see dog walkers I think of how lovely to wrap up and go for a brisk walk! I like the dark evenings and snuggling up. However I am grateful when winter is over and we get nicer weather and more light. I just really like the seasons and the changes they bring I guess. I just try to embrace it all.

Ah that's lovely and exactly how I feel.

This articulates my thoughts perfectly!

In summer I always feel bad like I should be doing something or ‘making the most of it’. I love slow days in winter, a roast cooking, film on, rain on the window after a brisk winter walk. Perfect!

I love all of the seasons, except when it is very hot in the summer.
I love dark evenings, with the rain battering down on the the windows, whilst I'm warm inside.
I love walking the dog in the cold a coming home to warmth and comfort.
I love the anticipation of spring.
I suppose I like the contrasts.
I am prone to depression and have to be more aware of managing my mood with prevention tools when there is less light.

I live on the east coast of Scotland. Winter is very cold and windy but not too wet/grey. I know some people hate the cold but I find it invigorating and absolutely adore cold sunny days.
the climate does vary a lot around the uk, I wonder if attitudes to winter reflect local climates?

I like all the seasons really (except the beginning of spring when all it does is rain and its not Easter yet)

I like all the festivals in Autumn/Winter. I'm not a pagan but I like the phrase about marking the 'wheel of the year'.
Then I like the cosy feeling after you've been out in the cold/rain and then you get back home and are warm again.

(I can be a bit anxious sometimes but I'm generally pretty resilient and calm.)

When I was in a bad place I liked winter more because I didn't feel the obligation to go out and do something on a nice day, and in summer it was more crowded, and there were lots of people in nice dresses out with friends. In winter you can bundle up in a big coat and go home and hibernate.

All i can say is people who love Winter obviously dont have Raynauds, Arthritis or freezing cold houses!!

For me it's just a season, I have no expectations of anything during Winter, I just tolerate it as everyone has to. Not much I can do about it.

I try to make the most of it and get out on bright dry cold days. But I do hibernate when it's wet and windy.

I dislike Christmas (no kids, parents deceased) as I really don't like the frenzy, the noise, the stress, and most of all the false jollity and expense.

Does that mean I am in low mood in Winter? I don't think so as I never feel down about it. 22December is a great day, as it's getting bright again woo hoo! Christmas can do one.

To me it's about getting through and surviving the darkest season, as everyone, including our ancestors had to do in much harder circumstances.

My eldest loves winter because she is very warm blooded and even sometimes when there is snow and ice on the ground, moans it's too hot even with just a t shirt on. I wouldn't say her mental health is very robust at all, though she is much better than she was.
I like the first few months of winter, and January or February when it snows, but I like all seasons and think it's nice having variety (most of the time).

I struggle with low moods and often just the thought of winter lifts me up a bit. It's not really the cosiness / candles and socks thing - it just feels like the only time of year when you're "allowed" to enjoy being indoors, eat nice food, not socialise constantly etc. I love the smell of the air in November when it's cold and it's just turning to winter.

In the summer I struggle with the heat and I always feel like a sad sack because it feels like everyone is constantly on holiday, or organising BBQs, hiking, starting diets etc and I'm just tolerating it and wishing it could be October.

I'm a positive person but I really struggle to get through Winter.
I love outdoor activities and if I don't get outside for a walk at least, I feel restless and fed up.
I don't mind bright crisp winter days but hate dark mornings and the long dark evenings.
I take Vit D to help.

Honestly I think it because I’m lazy AF and dark gives me an excuse to do less 🤣. Seriously though, I think there are two things. Firstly I love seasons and the feeling of time passing and things changing and it being cyclical, so I’d hate to live somewhere with no seasons. Secondly I love contrasts so coming in freezing cold from a run/ walk and having a hot shower and a mug of tea. I love the power of the wind and rain and being cozy inside while that’s happening.

I do have quite robust MH I guess but I think I just kind of like winter.

So basically I like going out in shit weather because coming in is so nice- kind of like how being thirsty is kind of horrible but that glass of water is amazing whereas normally it would be meh.

My daughter has depression and anxiety. She hates summer because of the bright light, the sweat which increases her eczema, an increase in the feeling that she’s being perceived and seen by others because she’s not wrapped up.

The cold fresh air makes me smile. I love the dark evenings and being able to light the fire and candles and snuggle under a blanket.
I love sitting at work when it's pouring down with rain as I might as well be at work because I can't spend time in the garden for example.
There is something about cold days, especially if it is frosty and sunny which makes me want to be outside.

I don't mind dark mornings either and actually found going to my 6.30am gym class easier in the winter, loved watching the sun start to rise as we got to the stretching part.

There is just something about winter that makes me happy.

However I am not the kind of person who likes it hot. Anything above 20 degrees and I start to get grumpy. When we were getting the 30 degree heat I was miserable.

I find the long hot days during the summer very difficult. I much prefer the cold, the dark and the rain.

DH is the opposite. It's definitely down to preference!

Quite the opposite for me.

I'm a very depressed person, have severe anxiety and depression.

I absolutely detest the summer and adore the colder months.

For me, I love the "stillness" of the dark nights and mornings.
The sound and sight of the rain is very soothing to me.
I don't react well to heat, and I like the feeling of coldness on my skin.
Love crisp autumn walks with the leaves everywhere.
The run up to Christmas where everyone is in good spirits.
The pretty Christmas lights and Christmas fairs and music.
Something about a grey/white sky makes me feel calm and happy.

I'm definitely a happy & positive person and I adore winter. I get up in the dark and I love it. For me, I find in the summer when I wake up & the sun is beaming in I can immediately feel myself get tense. I get cranky & sweaty in the heat & I hate it.

Currently I get up at 6am and get ready for work & then enjoy a lovely cosy brekkie every morning & it makes me so relaxed & set up for the day.

I also prefer walking in the cold & rain.

I know, I'm a weirdo lol.

Winter in our house is

roaring log fires
Lovely casseroles and home made soups
warm clothes, boots, coats
Long walks in woods and fields

But this year will be GCSEs and revision stress 😕

I suspect it has a lot to do with biochemistry. I used to feel pretty bleh during winter. During the lockdowns when the gym was closed, I started running each morning in the light. That made a huge difference. Later, I found out I had serious iron and vitamin D deficiencies and started taking supplements. Now winter is not a big deal.

I also spend a few minutes in front of a light lamp (very bright lamp that simulates the sun) first thing in the morning so that my body knows it's daytime. That helps my sleep schedule.

Another thing that helps is weight-lifting. Being stronger and feeling more tired at the end of the day makes a difference for me in winter (so I can sleep well).

I also make sure to surround myself with bright colours during winter. I grew up in an exceptionally rainy place where people would paint their kitchens bright yellow to stave off depression and studies have backed up that it works.

I guess what I'm saying is that you're probably right, but that mental health has a lot to do with how we're feeling in other ways.