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!

I'm still pretty immobile with my knee injury. Trying to make sure I still get outside each day. Sat on a bench with a coffee yesterday after short dog walk with my mum.

It was a beautiful autumn day with that low sun so I just sat facing it whilst chatting saying 'just topping up my vitamin D'. Mum gets it!

Also decided no alcohol whilst I am injured. The combination of painkillers and no exercise is already a risk factor for my mood lowering. It's no good having Alcohol in the mix

Ah pink hope that knee is better soon. Coffee and dog walking sounds amazing right now.

I'm knackered, been really ill off work for a few days already. Started with a sore throat where I couldn't even look after dp or DSS. Now it's progressed to really sore ears and throat deafness and ringing! GP refused me an appointment, walk in center refused to see me as I'm not registered locally so I'm waiting for a 111 call back. I just want it to stop in so tired of not being able to sleep, hear or swallow. Poor dp need to be resting and yet he's having to do all the housework and cooking and shopping as I'm unable to. Plus this month's paycheck should be fun with all my missing days :(

Still waiting for a 111 call back. Have just done a negative covid test. I'm convinced I have sinitis and I'm in agony I've been crying all morning in pain and I'm not crier. Dp can't cope when I'm Ill which makes it worse as it comes across as nasty and uncaring when I know it's actually his fear. I'm struggling so much today.

Happy Friday all.

I had a physio appointment for my knee - think it's helped. Then just a really dreary day.

Went to Tesco's for some bits but god it was depressing. Low stock, shabby store. Rude people all around. Feeling very flat and worn down now

I’m also full of a nasty cold. I had to cancel my work appointments and I was meant to be volunteering to do the bar at our village hall tonight but I’ve had to cancel. No one wants free germs with their pints!

It’s been a glorious day again here and I had to go out and walk the dog so I have had a bit of fresh air and sunshine. The sun had nearly set before 4pm though which is ridiculous!

@LadyCatStark I agree! Now where do we send our complaint. I bloody hate it. Dd has just gone out to her (boy) friend and asked for a lift to work at 2pm. I actually declared that it will be nearly dark by then!!!

@stilldumdedumming there’s still only a month to go til the shortest day 😭.

How’s everyone’s weekend? I still feel crappy and I had a minor procedure in my leg yesterday to remove a (almost certainly benign) lump and I had stitches. It hasn’t hurt at all but now it’s soooo itchy and I can’t itch it!

Hope everyone is looking after themselves! Ouch at stitches hope you can rest it as much as possible.

I'm really ill at the moment with an ear infection, perforated eardrums and sinitis it's agony and I'm worried I'm going to be deaf and have tinitus forever. I have to make an ent appointment and it's got me massively stressed.

Haven't been out in days but have only just started retaking my vitamins.

Hi all, do you find the lamps help. I'm really struggling, fed up with being told to snap out of it. I'm trying not to be a miserable cow but I feel so low. I'm using a vit d spray but now looking into the lamps. Do you think the doctor could help, I'm generally fine in the summer so am a bit confused as to whether I could take meds in winter only?

@ShaneTheThird it’s doesn’t hurt at all, it’s just really itchy! Your perforated eardrums sound far worse 😖.

@Unicornspirit I have a sad lamp and I do think it helps but only a bit. I’m pretty sure the doctor can prescribe medication only during winter but I guess it depends on the doctor’s views on SAD. Maybe just describe your symptoms and see that they say. Our medical practice has recently sent out a generic email all about SAD so they must be taking it seriously.

How's everyone doing today?

Here it was properly cold yesterday, I went to the shop and was physically shaking as the cold went through my jeans so it may be close to underlayer season. I also dug out my big scarf yesterday.

My ears are horrible still. All blocked, crackly, deaf and tinnitusy but I have to go back to work on Wednesday as I'm the only member of staff with a key available. Plus I've only worked one week this month between me and dp being ill.

Not so bad @ShaneTheThird. Sorry you’re still ill. My windscreen was frozen today when I set off for work 😭 it’s been a beautiful day but very, very cold.

I had a frozen windscreen this morning too (our first this year I think). Then my new car did a really loud bingly bong to warn me that it was only 4C on the way home. I nearly crashed in fright 🙈.

Some sunlight today.

Ah the cold really is setting in for real now isn't it . Me and dp took dss to the park today and it was freezing the poor child got a runny nose and red cheeks haha.

Haha @MsEmmeline, I hate it when that happens!

We’ve had a little frost on the fields first thing but this is the first proper frost. It’s was still frosty when I took the dog for his lunch time walk, it didn’t seem to bother him though!

I think I need a new winter coat and was eyeing up a Barbour wax jacket like DH’s until I saw it was £209 😵 I didn’t realise he’d spent that much on a coat!

Blimey £200! Bet it's a decent one though! I need a new coat as well but have no money now until January.

I worked out what I hate most about winter, it's the central heating! Gives me dry sinuses and a banging headache, now dp is on blood thinners he wants the heating on 24 bastard 7!

@LadyCatStark I think if DH has a £200 coat you deserve one too :p

@ShaneTheThird I know right! DH is much more of a fashionista than me, he has too many coats. I’m much more of a make so kind of person, but then I always end up missing out.

The central heating is really drying. My face and hands feel horribly dry.

I just bought a new warm jacket and a new waterproof one as well. I figure that it's worth it if it gets me outside.

Morning all. DH is still in hospital, but hopes to get out in a couple of day, which is obviously good news. Because he has to take immunosuppresents and despite getting the Covid vaccine booster a fews ago, his body wasn't producing antibodies, but a new drug has helped with that. I dread to think where he'd be even a few months ago.

It's so cold and dark now and I feel like I haven't done anything normal for weeks and weeks. I might go for a walk in the woods after youngest DD goes to school.

Wow @Ulysses that sounds so tough.

I am on the mend with my knee now, so a bit more dog walking but no running until the new year. It's a shame as there are some good events coming up I'd like to do (parkrun and Xc). I'm volunteering instead which works for now

I'm not so flat and lethargic now I've stopped taking pain medication. It's freezing here but as always I can cope fine with the temperature (I have good clothing) but wind/rain and dark is just so awful.

Can we have a round up of what people think helps them with SAD? Purely anecdotal but here are mine:

1. SAD lamp next to the laptop (I don't WFH full time)
2. Spatone iron supplement in OJ, vitamin D and Vitamin B12 spray (I'm vegetarian)
3. being outdoors preferably in the daylight
4. dogs - either walking them or them being around at home
5. exercise
6. being sober
7. no caffeine after midday
8. limit screen time/social media
9. comedy podcasts/audiobooks that are lighthearted or funny.

Ok some of mine are about good quality sleep

Would love to hear other peoples'.

That’s a great list, thank you!

Great to hear DH will be home soon! And fab list thanks!

I have a GP appointment today finally after a week of trying! Ear infection seems to have gone but I'm still left deaf and with tinnitus :( it's gone really chilly here now and I'm feeling a bit depressed with Christmas coming up as well as dp being stuck in the house 24/7. We went for a walk with DSS yesterday but he was a little shit and cried the whole time saying he needed the toilet, then funny enough when we got home he conveniently didn't need the toilet anymore.

Glad your DH is on the mend @Ulysses.
And glad you’ve finally got a drs appointment @ShaneTheThird

@PinkStink, agree with all of your suggestions (especially the dog!) but will add a weighted blanket for bed time to help with sleeping.

Oh I've heard of a weighted blanket but never tried one. Do you have it on top of a duvet?

Hello thank you for posting everyone. I'm here and I'm feeling shitty. I will consider a list - good idea. I have been thinking of you all and that we're coming towards a real tough bit now and I'm not feeling ready!!! I will try to post properly in the next few days.