Anyone else really dreading autumn and winter?

[Ladybird89]

My mental health is already hanging by a thread. The thought of enduring this or worse during the autumn and winter months, fills me with fear and panic.
I think it’s pretty much guaranteed if this is the way of things throughout those upcoming months, that there will be a rise in suicide. I just hope I’m not one of them.

I think there will be further outbreaks, hopefully local rather than national. I hope my ds can go back to preschool because it’s going to be very hard going otherwise especially with a new baby.
I’m going to plan some nice things for me to do at home as well as him. With regard to Christmas I’m thinking a medieval style 12 day celebration with the traditions such as 12th night cake to pass more time.
I’m trying to put a positive spin on it

There was an ad on TV this morning, that said something along the lines of: "These days, we need to wash our hands."
I thought we always did!
I admit that I have always been a germophobe (not quite at the Howard Hughes tissue box level), but I have always tried to avoid illness, as much as possible.
Will be be seeing outbreaks of other nasty diseases after these selfish people continue to leave our beaches and beauty spots as open sewers?

My apologies for descending into being so negative.
It's so easy to do so at the moment.
It's not helpful to anyone's mental health, I know.
There are a lot of lovely people out there, too.

I'm concerned as to how schools and workplaces are going to function once ordinary winter bugs start circulating. Also, the effects on mental health when it's not pleasant to go out for walks but indoor places are closed.

Yes, I'm dreading it. My mental health is already wobbly and I can't see the cold and dark helping it at all!

I’m hoping that with everyone washing their hands and practicing good hygiene (am I being naive there?) it’ll be harder to pick up any winter bugs.

Remember that if you’re not entitled to a flu jab you can buy one at Boots, supermarkets etc..
I usually get mine in Sainsbury’s, always walked in and they’ve been able to do it there and then, it’s about £10.

I usually get my Christmas shopping online, so that won’t change but it’s the other things around Christmas - going to Santa’s grotto, ice skating, Panto - will those events happen?

Yes I too am worried about autumn but primarily because DS will start reception after what will be 6 months of this. He’s definitely going to get every bug going and so it looks as though my job will be the one that suffers! I’m part time atm and before all of this I was hoping to take a few more hours once DS was in full time school. Now I’m going to be the one that copes with the blended learning proposed in wales and any/every time DS has a temperature and has to stay off!

yes i am worried,
any cough, sore throat symptoms

and where i work they will want the windows closed and there will be a lack of ventilation.

I hear you, @Ladybird89. I really struggle in autumn and winter and usually only cope because of a high-strength light box, vitamid D and having had a summer of doing lots of fun stuff in the sunshine.

We should at this very moment be on a plane heading for 3 weeks in Florida. Obviously not happening. Nippy Nicola still has us very much locked up and nothing in Scotland is open. It just seems like summer is cancelled this year. When October/November comes and it starts getting darker and darker it will just be awful.

Couple of things that i've found help is the Headspace app and getting out for a brisk walk whenever you can (and whenever it's not raining).

Be strong lovelies, every generation has their challenges this is ours we have more privalage than any other generation including billions in other countries right now, we have entertainment at touch of a button, clean water through our taps, most have heating and food of a thousend varieties at our fingertips. I'm not trying to be a polly-anna i stuggle with anxiety too but let's be like we look back and know we all did our best come what may with a few wobbles but not giving up, it will pass eventually either with heard immunity, better treatment better understanding virus better adopting not to kill as it's not in its interest to do so. Etc.
Try and focus on what you have to be greatful for, find a hobby even if it's just doing a puzzle which gets you in the zone, and prepare best you can forever is in your control, maybe limit news reading if possible. We can only control ourselves not others. I hope you find some hope and happiness x

Don't mean to start the school thing again but......as a teacher, I have had massive reservations about schools reopening this term. However, I am really hoping schools can open again in September and that we will be able to operate in a way that is pretty much normal. I will be devastated for the kids, their families and myself and my colleagues if at some point in the autumn we have to lockdown and close again. Also struggling with the worry that everyone will have a miserable Christmas with families unable to gather to celebrate.

My Mum lives I. The Southern Hemisphere and has said I can go and live with her if need be. Not ideal but the thought of having a summer in her big house and garden in an almost Covid free country, vs winter in our London flat is pretty enticing.

Catsjammies - go! I've suggested to my +70 year old parents that they should head to NZ for our winter.

My MH has been hit hard by the stresses of full time work, home schooling and the general lockdown restrictions. My depression has come back and I'm exhausted.
BUT....
I have been wondering but I must stay positive! We have so much in the UK and a lot is positive. We have healthcare, clean water, a functioning society (complete with the dickhead quota) and a lot of the best scientists in the world! We might have a vaccine, we will have a good understanding of the virus and hopefully another 6 months of research will bring treatments.

I am preparing for another lockdown now. I aim to have enough food in to feed us for 14 days at all times and summer will be spent Christmas shopping from local independent shops so I don't need to go out in the cold months. I'm going to enjoy the summer and assume another lockdown is coming. That way I'm prepared and if it doesn't happen then happy days.

New year's Eve can't come soon enough 2020 has been bollocks, good riddance to it!

I am preparing for another lockdown now. I aim to have enough food in to feed us for 14 days at all times and summer will be spent Christmas shopping from local independent shops so I don't need to go out in the cold months. I'm going to enjoy the summer and assume another lockdown is coming. That way I'm prepared and if it doesn't happen then happy days.

Sounds like a good plan.

New year's Eve can't come soon enough 2020 has been bollocks, good riddance to it!

I'll drink to that!!

I am dreading autumn and winter. Its never a good time of year for me with a number of awfil anniversaries plus the dark...

wheres I cant but help think they'll be another lockdown.. And I've found this one, in the summer, with the sun, really bad. My gp says almost everyone is finding lockdown hard.

Children and parents really need to keep hand washing and reinforce high standards of hygiene. This would help prevent bugs. Any child with an illness must be sent home and parents will have to be responsible for their dc not spreading bugs around schools.

I’m optimistic. I love the autumn. I love National Hunt racing. Bring on the winter. I’m not scared either. Life is too short to live in fear! Booked my first restaurant meals for mid July and September. Can’t wait!

I suffer with SAD anyway.I start off positive like I am now then little by little I begin to lack motivation and drag myself into work until March.Obviously the thought of corona virus locking local places down seems a bit inevitable and I have no idea how it will play out in my workplace.
I think it will be one big slog to get through.At least we have had sunnier days to adjust to the new rules etc.

“ Children and parents really need to keep hand washing and reinforce high standards of hygiene. This would help prevent bugs. Any child with an illness must be sent home and parents will have to be responsible for their dc not spreading bugs around schools. ”

SO grateful for your advice. Now, can you tell me where toddlers will be allowed to go indoors in public in the autumn and winter? Just their own homes? Oh it’s going to be LOVELY isn’t it. All those restaurants I can go to. I normally love autumn and winter, but I am not optimistic about this one

NZ is allowing entry to citizens and permanent residents only, so that won't be a southern hemisphere Christmas option.

I need to buy a big puffy, hooded coat, wellies and golf umbrella just for winter supermarket queuing. Now that's going to be utterly shite.

We also have the minor issue of a potential no deal brexit to go through at the same time - when we've depleted our no deal medicine and food reserves.

I understand your concerns OP but just try to enjoy the moment. The time will soon fly by and we could be into winter and things be fine. You'll have missed out on the joy of the summer days having been worrying about the future. You have to get a hold of your thoughts and focus on today and your immediate immediate family. Don't worry about every possible implication on the wider society now. You can only improve your life and trust yourself that you can get inventive for ways to enjoy life even if another lock down happens. Switch off the news and listen to some motivating talks on YouTube like Mel Robbins. Or anyone which gives you positive energy.

*sorry only meant one immediate !