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?

Yeah i had a lot. Thanks.

I just think there is no need to spend six months in a cold country.

Birds migrate to warmer countries in the winter.

I was saying to a friend last week that I was going to Portugal.
She said "lucky you, I can't afford to go anywhere all winter"

My flights to portugal and back were 60 euro. My cheap hotel for two nights was 80 euro. 140 euro total.
I saw the same friend spend 150 pounds on drinks, dinner and a show in the UK last week.

Its her choice. But i have noticed the bizarre trend of peoplr saying they want to travel but travel is too expensive, then going and spending loads of money in England.

Move to the east coast, preferably Scotland. Then you’ll have lots of sunshine and less rain but also snow! I was out planting bulbs in the sunshine yesterday morning.

I don't usually mind the clocks going back, but this year the dismal greyness and early evenings have really got me down. I find it helps to have brighter lighting in the house and to keep busy in the early evening. I like cooking and baking so I can spend an hour or two in a bright warm kitchen with the radio on. I've also been going to bed earlier and reading.

Another sufferer here. My mood starts to worsen slightly as early as the end of August as the nights begin to draw in compared to early summer. November until mid December are the worst bits for me when it seems dark all day.

Oddly despite the colder weather my mood starts to improve in January as by then at least the days are getting gradually longer.

My choice would be brighter in evening rather than morning. But you can’t please everyone.

Yesterday was fairly sunny and very mild, I actually managed to little bit of pruning as it wasn't pelting with rain for a change.

Today though, it's so dark and dreary, pouring with rain now as well, I have to have the kitchen light on to do anything, that alone makes me feel lower in mood than normal.

Can't wait for spring to start 😃

The cosiness is twee and cliched. Yes it might help some people but it is not addressing the underlying factor which is the lack of daylight - again, SAD is nothing to do with the temperature or the weather.

Fairy lights are no substitute for daylight - which is why those of us who get how bad it can make people feel are talking about special SAD lamps and Vit D. The special lamps replicate the feeling of being in strong sunlight which you won't get from even a fuckton of twinkly lights or candles. As for the snuggling and blankies and hot chocolate, well that is personal preference. Not everyone likes sitting on the sofa under a blanket. I haven't drunk hot chocolate since I was about 10 because I don't like milky drinks.

Honestly, so much negativity. It doesn't have to be hot chocolate the point is find a nice treat to look forward to be it hot chocolate or a black coffee if you dont like milky drinks. Whatever floats your boat.

Those lamps are absolutely bollocks, far better to get out in the fresh air for a brisk walk even if it is a bit damp and chilly as it's November.

Now that Storm Claudia has passed over, we should manage to get outside this weekend and get some daylight - which I find is the one thing that helps.

My anxiety increases as the days get shorter. The only thing that’s keeping me going is that it’s less than 6 weeks til the solstice! After that the days will start to pull out and the cosy people can start to weep!!

East Kent today it is like summer. I'm too hot in a tshirt. People are swimming in the sea in normal swimming stuff. It feels like it's at least 20 degrees. It's really quite scary how un-November like it is.

BBC Westher says it is 12 degrees and drizzling. Not even close.

Looks great! Even here I would say it is mild for mid November! Even if it wasn’t, I could live with it - it is the dark mornings and evenings that cripple me!

Those lamps are absolutely bollocks, far better to get out in the fresh air for a brisk walk even if it is a bit damp and chilly as it's November.

Agree that it is better to be in natural bright daylight whenever possible. A "bit damp and chilly" is underplaying what we often get in Scotland though, more like lashing rain and gale force winds. That is nobody's idea of a fun brisk walk. it's often so dull and dark you have to have lights on all day as the lighting level is so gloomy. The SAD lamps are not "bollocks", they are a substitute for natural sunlight when there is none.

Whilst I agree with the SAD lamps and vit D, the fairy lights etc are part of self care which for some may support using a SAD lamp and vit D.

Although not weather related I do think that the weather can contribute to how people feel, but it doesn’t change the underlying cause. If like yesterday and again today here, its very grey, cloudy and very wet, a lot of people will not be inclined to go outside at all unless absolutely necessary, they may have limited movement and may not be participating in the day to day activities which are beneficial for general health.

If however you severely suffer with SAD, even a lamp and vit D may not be enough and ADs could be required.

Autumn/winter happens every year.

We all need to just adjust to it and look forward to the Spring.

SAD happens when there’s not enough daylight which affects seratonin and melatonin production, causing changes to circadian rhythm, mood changes, fatigue, appetite changes etc. So no amount of treats are going to have a long term effect (except to possibly add weight gain to the list of negatives!)
Feeling this way isn’t a choice people make and although exercise and good diet can help (even the lamps help some people, so not ‘absolute bollocks’ for everyone), some people really struggle through the dark winter months and it shouldn’t be dismissed with a ‘pull yourself together’ attitude

SAD is a properly documented and researched thing.

Me too.

It enables people to be inactive and wallow as they can't help it

Rubbish