Struggling so much with the endless grey dark weather

[Tipsandtricks22]

Its making me miserable. Its not uncommon for me to feel like this in the winter and at the beginning I really tried to be more positive about it and prevent it getting to me but today, the house is literally dark because its just completely grey and horrible and overcast outside. In a way I'd prefer if it was pelting down with rain, at least I like the sound of rain. I get that I live in England but as I'm unable to move to the Canary islands, how to I stop it making me feel so depressed?

I agree though am grateful for the reduced energy bills that are resulting from the above average temperatures.

One help would be to have BST all year round, so in answer to the OPs question, lobby your MP.

I find vitamin D supplements really help my mood in the winter

Are you supplementing with Vitamin D? Everyone in the UK should be taking it.

It's not popular on here, but I find embracing the shit weather helps - so fairy lights, nice scented candles, cosy blankets, and hiding away indoors with a roaring fire and nice food makes all the difference for me.

how to I stop it making me feel so depressed?

Accept that this is our natural annual cycle of weather and be grateful that we actually have quite a kind, mild climate compared to many in the world.

We get grey. We don't get destructive typhoons or weeks of temperatures below zero with feet of snow. We don't get months of no daylight like some areas of northern Europe. Severe heatwaves are comparatively rare. Our country is generally green and pleasant, not yellow and dead and arid.

Put some nice fairy lights on and get a SAD lamp. It isn't so long to go now until the days start getting longer.

Vitamin D as others have said.

Would a SAD light be worth a try? I recently got one so can’t comment yet on its impact on me, but there is research to suggest they help with winter gloom.

It was really sunny here in North Yorkshire most of the morning and my flowers are still blooming. I don't think the daytime temperatures have dropped into single figures yet.

I think you are exaggerating a little unless you live in the Shetland Islands or something.

I like this kind of weather because I love exercising and I find its easier to exercise in this kind of climate. Bloody hate exercising in summer. So this is the time of year when I feel fittest and most active. I also have a lot of lamps and blankets to sit under - make the place feel cosy. Got to just lean into it and pull the positives out of the situation.

Try to get out. It's counter intuitive.

Its grim.

Should have put in my OP that I take vitamin D and other supplements

I dont really understand why you think I'm exaggerating. I havent said I'm trudging through snow..most of England is grey and miserable currently? Its November

She didn't say anything about the temperature - she said she was sick of the grey, overcast weather

I live in the west of Ireland, believe me you would soon tire of the almost constant rain.

I might try a sad lamp, seem to be so many different ones out there. Which one did you get?

Yanbu. I've bought a SAD light and it's horrible, total disappointment. It's too bright and jarring. It's just sitting unused now.

Our streetlights have been turned down to save money so I won't go to late gym classes anymore. I can't take the car out as I'll lose my parking space. I honestly feel like a prisoner in my home from 4pm onwards in winter. (Slightly dramatic, but it's all consuming 😭).

I'm far south and it's grey, gloomy and keeps raining several times a day. I am very much a spring/summer person, I find this time of year does make my mood much lower.

Weather forecast for next ten days or so is rain and nothing but rain, that means trying to dry washing indoors which is a depressing thought on its own.

I don't take Vitamin D but as it's recommended on here, maybe I should start taking it.

Sorry to hear this OP.

I was also lucky enough to have sunshine most of the morning, and with all the gorgeous autumn colours and the warmer temps this past few weeks I have to say I think I've skirted this a bit so far (probably because I know there's worse to come!)

I'd echo the advice about getting outside, even if it's grey and overcast. What do yo feel is stopping you - is it temps, rain, or getting dark early? Are you able to go outside on your lunch break?

Also:

• plant spring bulbs
• take something warm to work for lunch
• get a slow cooker and learn to appreciate stew

That doesn't change the number of hours of darkness, merely time shifts them by an hour. It doesn't improve the quality of said daylight hours either. Therefore a complete waste of time.

Do you have annual leave to take ? I just ernt on a five day holiday to Albufeira Portugal. Very cheap, and It was lovely and sunny

Totally with you OP. No advice, just feel your pain. I am in hibernate mode from now until March tbh. Bring on the Spring!

I also dislike winter, but join others in saying get out in the fresh air every day even if it is gloomy and raining. I’ve just had a half hour walk round the block in the rain and feel better for it. As a positive, the mild weather is definitely saving a fortune on heating bills.

Do you like the rest of your life? The weather is shit but tbh I barely notice as I am so busy with work, running around after kids, doing my hobbies etc. Maybe you need a bit more going on or to focus a bit more on doing stuff you like that isn’t weather dependent.

Hygge

Also not sure if you live near an airport or enjoy travelling but a group I’m on have been doing extremes day trips to places like Lanzarote, Malaga for very low prices. A day in the sun might be something to look forward to.

This is my tip and has been since I started running at the beginning of 2025. Get outside in the daylight there is and some fresh air!