SAD/ feeling low in winter support thread

[LadyCatStark]

Hi all, after reading some unhelpful comments on another thread where someone is struggling, I wondered if anyone would like to join me in a SAD support thread for anyone who is feeling low now that winter is coming, whether you have a SAD diagnosis or not.

Disclaimer: I know anyone can post anything they like on a public forum but please, out of respect for those of us who are really struggling, don’t come on this thread to tell us how much you love winter, hygge, snuggling, hot chocolate or twinkly lights or tell us that we’ll feel better if only we change our mindset.

Please feel free to share your feelings, good or bad, tell us about your day or share tips for things that help (or don’t). Hopefully we can all help each other get through this winter!

Don’t be put off by the first couple of minutes - that’s the warm up

I do Insanity as I have a (totally pirated) selection on an old laptop but it’s running for me that really helps. Ideally outdoors but maybe a treadmill will do.

We’ve been for a gorgeous dog walk even though it was windy and raining. The dog didn’t care and DH came for once and enjoyed throwing the ball for him. I know I keep banging on about my dog sorry but he is doing wonders for my mental health both by getting me out in all weathers and cuddling me in the evenings. Then we went to an amazing ice cream place to get warm chocolate brownies and ice cream. I feel a lot better now!

Ice-cream and brownies sound incredible! Hope the rain wasn't too bad for everyone today. The only excercise I enjoy is cycling but I don't have a bike anymore. If I could find an excercise bike to stay in during the winter that would be excellent.

I’m just falling into a complete slough of despond. Dark evenings, the heating is on. Nothing on TV. Never ending bad news. I’m just totally at the end of my rope with it all.

@Washeduponthebeach. Definitely take a break from the news. I had to as I just found myself more and more depressed.

[quote ShaneTheThird]@Washeduponthebeach. Definitely take a break from the news. I had to as I just found myself more and more depressed.[/quote]
Yes I try to avoid listening to it as much as I can. Unfortunately, OH is an avid news devotee. It gets very wearing. It doesn’t seem it get him down as it does me.

I nipped into Primark today while I waited for a tyre time he changed on DH’s car and got some lovely jumpers and some plaid style shirts to tuck into mom jeans. They had some lovely hats and scarfs etc but all in greyish colours and I want navy. Ooh and I got some slipper socks too for £2 for 2 pairs!

While we were waiting for the tyre DS decided I should test him on his Latin vocabulary homework in front of a full waiting room so I was an accidental performance parent 🙈😂.

DS got drenched moving around school as it rained so hard that it flooded even though his school is at the top of a hill. Weirdly, it didn’t rain at all where I was at work which was the opposite side of the bay!

Where you live has a bay?! That sounds amazing!

Also sounds a good haul from Primark!
I had a good day at work today was long and tiring but I got my pay issue sorted with my other job finally!
Plus dp sent me a video of DSS asking where I am over and over again and it melted my heart.

@ShaneTheThird glad you got your pay sorted! Your DSS sounds lovely. Where I live is a massive bay! We’re very lucky to live by the sea even if it is really windy.

That sounds like the dream! I don't live far away from the sea but it's still a train ride away. I would love to be in walking distance and stroll along the beach each day.

I'm a 15 minute drive from the beach and I did end up there on Sunday with DD. It was glorious and a real tonic.

I got my SAD lamp out yesterday and had it on for a bit about 20 minutes. Ironically it was really sunny here though but I was too busy with work that I didn't get a chance to go out for a walk. I bought some big fluffy socks the other day from Tesco for wearing around the house. I hate my feet getting cold.

It's my birthday today - I am 47. I'm taking the day off work and I'm going to have a wander around the Old Town in Edinburgh and soak up some history then meet up with DH for dinner. I've got great intentions of improving my fitness so I am off to the gym first.

Happy birthday@Ulysses! Hope you have a great day in Edinburgh, I love it there so beautiful and love the history.

It's pouring down here. I'm getting ready to take DSS to nursery, not looking forward to going out in the rain especially as I'm not in work until 2. But dp put the heating on and it's lovely and toasty in the flat.

Happy birthday @Ulysses! Your day sounds perfect 😊.

It’s ‘only’ light rain here today so I’ll be going for a run. It’s day 2 of visiting my families properly and I’ve already had one forget and 2 cancel (for genuine reasons its not their fault) 🙈😂. It’s nice to be broken in gently though I guess!

I've found my non cosy, non snuggly, non hot choc drinkers.

Didn't bother getting dressed at the weekend, couldn't be bothered. I won't be doing it again as it makes me feel even more rubbish.

Sounds less than ideal but least you can get a run in!

I took dss to nursery and was told I'm an hour early as apparently his hours have changed so we are back home in the warm for an hour at least.

Happy belated birthday @Ulysses! Hope you had a lovely day

I'm wfh thankfully - so I can look out at the rain and gloom here in Edinburgh from the comfort of my heated throw (honestly - get one, they are AMAZING!!).
I've really struggled the last few days - I'm just so tired and sluggish, but it dawned on me this morning that I haven't taken my vitamins for the last 3 days so they definitely make a difference. I was supposed to be doing some online training this morning but I've managed to postpone it, which is just as well as I am definitely not firing on all cylinders.

Hope you all have lovely (hot chocolate, stew and snuggle free) days, whatever you're doing

@ShaneTheThird it was horrible at first but once I’d got warmed up it actually felt really good. I got myself out by my usual trick of telling myself I had not have to do 3k if I want (as that’s from my house, once round the park and back) but ended up doing 5. I had to avoid my favourite route as it takes me along the sea defences (basically just a mound with a flat top) and it’s too windy for that. So 3 times round the park it was 😂.

I'm jealous @SirChenjins that you live in Edinburgh I love it there even though I only went once. I would love to go again.

@LadyCatStark I admire your determination. I'm so lazy I keep saying I will start yoga on YouTube and it never happens, or I do it once or twice and give up lol.

I really miss running. I can't do it anymore due to many many falls. I liked the quickness and no nonsense of it. Shoes on, out the door and back!

I am persevering with vitamins. I agree @SirChenjins they do seem to make a difference.

Can I ask what others are taking?

I am back at work tomorrow. Had a miserable and failed holiday and had to come back early. Dp has brain damage (though he's currently dancing round the kitchen while washing up!) so there are all sorts of cognitive and physical issues every day. Which makes being away really hard. Trying to negotiate unfamiliar footpaths etc.

I WFH and I am sick of this house!

@stilldumdedumming sorry to here you are having a tough time. What vitamins do you currently take? I think for winter the main ones are vitamin C,D and zinc. I'm on folic acid and q enzyme 10 as hoping to TTC soon when dp finally allows it to happen.

@ShaneTheThird I have vit D, magnesium with b6 and lysine (for my cold sores 🤞) These are what I happen to have in! Why is the zinc and vit C. I eat a lot of veg but no fruit and no dairy fish or meat. (Btw the fruit is because I hate it unless it's in a crumble of course - the others are due to the penny dropping while I was breast feeding my now 20year old how the dairy industry works )

Vit c and zinc are good for boosting the immune system and healing wounds and sickness. Can get it in fruit and veg too but always good to supplement.

Dp is the same he hates fruit and never touches it. Im not a fan of dairy it gives me really bad acne so I need to look at alternatives. Not that I ever really use it.

@ShaneTheThird that’s why I do it first thing, no time to talk myself out of it! I always feel amazing afterwards so it’s worth it.

@stilldumdedumming sorry your holiday didn’t work out. It must be quite frustrating sometimes. Could you walk instead of running?

@stilldumdedumming - Menopace as I'm perimenopausal and also ancient.

Guys I’ve committed a thread cardinal sin and drunk a hot chocolate! DS was cold and wet after rugby and wanted a bath and a hot chocolate and I just fancied one too 😂. It didn’t make me feel cozy or like winter any more though!