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!

Was it good though? 🤣 I actually love hot chocolate.

My faithful winter boots died today. Have had them nearly ten years since uni they were £30 in new look at the time and I wore them constantly for ten years so I definitely got my money's worth for once. Luckily I have a replacement in the cupboard.

I'm very late to this party and have started reading other people's ideas. For me:
outdoor exercise - run/dog walk wearing appropriate clothing. Still don't like dog walking in the pissing rain but makes it easier if I have good waterproofs.

I have a morning lark for a dog. He has an internal alarm clock which can't be ignored. I have to get up at 630am every day. It does me the world of good even though the first 10 seconds of waking are me thinking I would rather be pet free.

Vitamin D and spatone each day in orange juice

Sad lamp next to the laptop.

Drinking plenty of water. Limiting caffeine.

I probably have more. Back to read other people's suggestions now!

Oh and another thing that has changed because of COVID. I used to meet friends for coffee. Now I tend to meet for a walk. That's nice. I will walk with a coffee in an insulated mug but it's a good way to catch-up whilst being outdoors (fewer germs around) in the daylight and actually moving.

Oh and another thing. Vitamin b12 spray. I'm vegetarian. A vegan friend recommended it and I'm sure it helps my energy/mood.

Just found this thread. Thank you for starting it! I agree completely with that first post. I hate when people talk about how cozy the winter is and how they love warm jumpers. I love warm jumpers and fairy lights too but that doesn't stop me feeling miserable as soon as the sky gets dark looking forward to talking to everyone!

@TitoMojito welcome to the thread! I’m the same, I’ve got my new ‘snuggly’ jumper on, my autumn wax melt burning and had my hot chocolate and a new book (that the bloody dog chewed while I was emptying the dishwasher 😡) but it doesn’t change the fact that we’ve had 9 days in a row of near constant rain and the wind was blowing tree debris all over the motorway when I went out to my appointment and I could barely see due to the spray from the trucks. It’s grim!

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Edinburgh was very wet but it's such a great city. I lived there for 11 years pre-kids and go back when I get the chance.

In the sprit of getting through winter I bought a cashmere scarf out of one of the tartan tourist shops. Naturally, now that I am back at work (from home mind) today has been gorgeous and I woke up really early, started work early and had a longer lunch break than usual. I had a nice walk outside. I live right next door to the woods and it's such a great place just now that the leaves are falling. It gets really dark in the summertime so isn't as appealing, particularly when it's bright outside.

I also had my Lumie on. I might put it on at 6pm for a spell as that's when my energy really takes a dip.

@Ulysses glad you had a good birthday :) it sounded great, love cashmere scarfs.

It was cold here today but not too bad. Went to work early and had terrible brain fog to begin with I couldnt remember where the light switch was at work then panicked I must be having a stroke. Must be stress induced as I'm constantly low level worried and anxious. I came home and had a 40 minute nap and now the heating is on its really toasty.

It was a beautiful day here! I overheated in my thick jumper, coat and wellies with Joules welly liners in them when I took the dog for a walk. I didn’t get to run this morning as DH booked my car’s ceramic coating in to be re-shined (yes really) and we needed to drop it off together so DH could get home. DS said he wanted to start running with me as he wants to get fit for when he joins the army (he’s 12!) but by the time he’d got through his physics and chemistry homework, including a load of things he hadn’t actually been taught yet, we were both exhausted!

@LadyCatStark I do like to walk but it somehow isn't the same as running. I used to love half marathons. I keep thinking i will try again but last summer my fall was spectacular and bloody!!

I am feeling quite pleased though that I have been taking the supplements and been outside for a walk every day.

I also find that no alcohol does absolute wonders for my MH. I can stop quite easily but I can't moderate for long before slipping into too much.

Good morning everyone hope you are all well.

I have a day off today and don't know how to spend it as after today I'm in work 2 jobs seven days in a row it's going to kill me off.

Well we won't suggest snuggling, hot chocolate or anything twinkly.

What will you miss once you get busy?

Could you do that?

To be honest Ive just taken a walk to Dps work to chat to him for fifteen minutes then I went food shopping so I'm going to hoover, cook dinner and watch Netflix in bed as dp is home early today and I won't get a chance to be by myself. I'm going to do a face mask too I think as my skin is dire and I need to dye my hair. Am I the only one who feels like self care is a chore? I'm so lazy.
I also suffer from hEDS and had a shitty day with it yesterday was in awful pain and terribly exhausted.

But the weather was lovely today with a bit of sunshine and a walk thrown in :)

Hi everyone

@Ulysses - great you had a good birthday, and I'm sure you'll have a chance to wear your cashmere scarf soon!

@ShaneTheThird - that sounds really tough [sad} You have my sincerest sympathies.

I'm working in the office today - I'm not going to complain about the commute in the dark and pointlessness of it as I usually do! I had my flu jab here and DC3 had his covid jab yesterday, so hopefully that's one less thing to worry about. I'll have lunch now and then head out for a walk round the hospital site, hopefully the rain will stay off. Off all next week on annual leave thankfully, it's been a really busy time at work recently.

Hope you all have lovely days, whatever you're up to.

@SirChenjins DS had his Covid jab today. Apparently he’s so ill both of his arms hurt 😂 he definitely takes after his dad 🙈

Morning all.

First time dog walk this morning with a head torch. Damp and grey but as always feel better for having been out.

Yesterday I ordered a daylight bulb for the room I use when wfh. I have the sad lamp next to the laptop but the room is quite gloomy.

Anyway I’m off for a run shortly with a friend so nice day ahead I hope

It's gloomy and rainy here and I feel asleep at 8pm last night despite a burst on the SAD lamp at 6pm. Still I had a good sleep and although I woke up around 5am I managed to get back to sleep and was up after 7.

It's my day off and ive got my gym gear so going to go there for a bit after running errands. Then later on DD and I are going swimming.

I'd rather be tired out after doing something than a feeling of malaise.

Have a nice day everyone whatever you get up to.

@Ulysses yes it's a different tiredness isn't it? Feels 'earned'? I dunno.

I've had a lovely run with a friend and it feels like I've sort of recharged?

I wish I could bottle this feeling or make it stretch so I don't have to face the inevitable low when I can't get out.

It’s a beautiful day here, it feels more like late summer than autumn! Makes up slightly for all the rain we’ve had. I took the dog for an extra long walk after work as it was too nice to go home! It’s been such a lovely week at work so I’m feeling quite content except that every time I get home DH or DS (or the dog) has left mess for me to clean up 😡.

Another early start for me this morning. I've been awake since 5-ish so reckon I've had about 6.5 hours sleep, which isn't great. Eldest DD was out with friends till 1030 last night and she's out tonight as well and I can't really settle till I know she's in at home.

Saying that, I didn't fall asleep on the sofa last night and had a walk with my mum yesterday and a swim with other DD so felt like I didn't fritter the day away. That's a good point @PinkWaterBottle2021and I feel as I've earned a lazy day today and I've got something planned tomorrow to look forward to. It's raining again making it more attractive to stay indoors.

I dream of a couple of days to myself in the house @LadyCatStark so I can enjoy a tidy home. It's generally okay but the kitchen and the kids bedroom are sources of stuff that just gets left everywhere.

Gloomy and grey here but I got up and did parkrun so I’m feeling good.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

@PinkWaterBottle2021 I’m gonna need to up my running game as I’ve just bought a Harley Quinn outfit for Halloween 😂.

Arghhh got really stuck today. Bloody glorious weather and I just lost all motivation and direction. And so ended up aimlessly going between tasks. I miss my dp who was full of ideas and beans come the weekend and now can't even decide what he wants for dinner.

It's been lovely here today, sunny and quite warm. I've had a really bad cold (luckily not COVID) and so have had a really flat, tired and achy 2 weeks which hasn't helped my mood. Off to an afternoon tea tomorrow, lots of carbs but all home made. Hoping it will aid my recovery 😂

Hello everyone We’re in Pitlochry for a few days break. Weather was a bit rubbish today but the scenery more than made up for it. We went to the House of Bruar for a mooch and cake and coffee - I got a gorgeous Alpine sweater in lovely bright colours, and cashmere scarf that was on sale, so it was a very successful day! Heading out walking tomorrow, the weather is meant to be much better. I’m on annual leave for the rest of the week, can’t wait!