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!

It's a gorgeous Autumn day in Scotland, the sun is out but it's very chilly too. DDs have no interest in going for a walk out with me so I am going to go one on my own, soak up some vit D.

It's DDs 16th birthday next Friday so I remember walking the pram in the cold and dark when she was born, including her first Christmas Day.

It's a lovely list @mag2305. I've solar lanterns in the back garden and it's so nice to see them in the evening. I've got more solar powered lights in the garage somewhere and I must dig them out. Fairy lights aren't just for Christmas. I'm stocking up on bird seeds/nuts too. A lovely little robin has been appearing recently. I love watching them when I working.

I find my SAD lamp quite a strain on my eyes. Anyone else?

@Ulysses I did at first but I’m more used to it now. I use mine on 50% strength at the moment.

@TaraR2020 interesting. My bulb order was delayed so I actually cancelled it. I'm a community worker so not really much desk work. Always have my SAD lamp on next to my laptop though.

I went for a good run today. Very steady - just to return a library book but very satisfying.

Nice being outside but there's no sunlight. It's just grey.

Ulysses, I find mine quite bright! It's a Lumie one, I use it on the lowest setting for 90mins.

Oof it's freezing today, the coldest day yet! I'm at my 2nd job today so going to crank up the heating. Hope everyone has a good day

It’s not so bad here. We’ve been really lucky this year in the north west! There were some patches of frost of the field yesterday morning though when I took the pup for an early walk. Hope work is OK and goes quickly for you. Our cross trainer and rowing machine arrived so we’re spending the day taking down a space bed and setting up the equipment. Can’t wait to use it later!

Ooh I'm also north west :D this afternoon is much brighter than this morning thankfully

I'm sitting on the sofa, but will make myself go for a run soon. Hopefully the daylight and exercise will do me some good 🙂.

@ShaneTheThird hi to a fellow northerner 😃.

Our cross trainer and rowing machine are built and the spare room )that will now be ostentatiously named the “home gym”) is all cleared out but DS has commandeered the first go! I managed a little go and it seemed really fun so I’m looking forward to a proper workout later!

I'm a Londoner up north. I never get used to how cold it is up here! Haha. Oh you will have to keep us posted on how the home gym is. That does sound amazing!

@ShaneTheThird haha I know how you feel, I spent some of my childhood in the desert and I don’t think I’ve ever acclimatised since 😂. I did an hour on the cross trainer… and 2 mins on the rowing machine. DS managed 40 mins on the cross trainer and 10 mins on the rower 😵. The weight machine isn’t coming til Tuesday but that’s more DH’s thing.

@LadyCatStark you might get into weights - I love it!

I'm in the midlands and yesterday was sunny! I spent the whole day cutting back a tree in the garden, and then sawing it into an impressive woodpile.

Now to take all the green bits to the tip.

All in all I got plenty of sunshine yesterday

I told dp it is over in the week and he needs to move out. He then went on an alcohol binge and has since forgotten I said all that (this is due to his brain damage not the alcohol). So I have to start again. My lovely brother is coming today to help out.

Oh no @stilldumdedumming that’s so difficult for you. I hope you can get him sorted out with your brother today.

@stilldumdedumming that sounds so hard. Glad you have some support from your brother.

I've had a good weekend - long run this morning and house is clean. Feeling very autumnal out and about now.

Oh it's absolutely freezing here today! Dropped dss at nursery at 8am and it's grey. Me and dp went together as he's off for 2 weeks with stress. I wore thick brushed leggings and dps bedtime fleece. He never wears it so I've stolen it. Although I would like to look at alternatives to fleece and anything that sheds microplastics this year.

Hope everyone has a good start to the week today! I'm working late the next 2 days so won't see sunlight for a while.

It’s hammering it down here! I’m out working today so am currently sitting in my car eating lunch and freezing! It’s amazing how much the sunlight (or lack of it) effects my mood.

I have 'crashed' mood wise today. Well not totally but on the edge. Dark dog walk then work. I feel really blue. Yuk.

Urgh today I have an all day Teams inset day on moving and handling 😭 it’s hammering down again and my SAD lamp is getting a battering this morning!

Doesn't sound like a good day for a few of you today :(. It's cold here today and grey and I have work again until 9pm. Im shattered. Why is payday so long away?! Ten days and I have £7 in my bank to last until then. I can't wait to buy some winter stuff. I had a really weird dream this morning that I cut my long hair off and somehow cut off the zip portion of my coat. Woke up in a cold sweat

@ShaneTheThird that’s tough, do you have food and stuff all sorted?

Yeah we have enough food in for the week it's just annoying using my over draft. Is where I seem to perm live.

How was everyone's day

Ah that’s good but frustrating when you need things and have to wait.

Yesterday was a frustrating day work wise but today has been lovely in spite of the rain. How are you getting on with work @ShaneTheThird?

Just following for later. I'm dreading the clock change. Trying to make fun plans.