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!

That's a beautiful photo @LadyCatStark and a great reminder of the wholesome benefits of beautiful scenery and fresh air.

@ulysses sorry it's a bad time for you hope everything starts to look better for you and DH soon. Every day is a new day for getting that routine back even if you start small and just take a vitamin today and maybe make a to do list.

Sorry I’ve not been on for a few days. I seem to have been ridiculously busy! We’ve all finished work and school now for Christmas so it’s time to chill and have some fun.

Only 2 days until the shortest day. @Ulysses fresh air and walks definitely helps!

Only 2 days already?! Wow that's flown by! AHH just one more week in retail until I get 3 days off!

I love making a list @shanethethird, and I've managed to tick the Christmas tree one off. DD10 has been asking when I'm putting it up and was away for a sleepover last night so will get a surprise later.

I am away to Edinburgh today to get some presents. My sleep has been terrible lately though and woke up before 4am and haven't managed to get back to sleep properly. Still it will be nice to to be out and about.

So does anyone plan to mark the turning of the year?
I have a chanting session on Wednesday morning that will take me into sunrise. So I'm planning to make Tuesday 3 Ish to then end of my session my own time. This is unlikely to happen.

However I have enough wood for a fire in the garden. So that will definitely happen- not sure what else yet.

I love a good list as well I write too many!

@stilldumdedumming I haven't thought about it actually. That's really interesting what does the chanting involve? Is there a special significance and the wood? Sorry I'm so ignorant to these things but love learning about them.

I'm also curious about what you are doing @stilldumdedumming. I don't think I've ever looked forward to the Solstice as much though. It will mark a beginning for me, spiritual or otherwise.

I'm feeling a bit more relaxed about Christmas. I've got most presents now and have a grand total of 3 things wrapped but can speed through the rest when the kids are at school. I've got an understanding boss thankfully.

Oh I am behind with my favourite podcast On Being and the one I've just popped on is a conversation with the author of Wintering. Here is an Apple link but you can just search On being podcast - it has a website. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/on-being-with-krista-tippett/id150892556?i=1000544477183

I am part of a Sanskrit study group so we chant a lot. On solstice and equinox times we tend to meet early so that the sun rises during our time together. I do a lot of this stuff. It really holds me and I'm lucky that I hooked up with a really eminent teacher just as she was becoming better known.

I am not super spiritual- I believe we live and we die and God, if anywhere, is in living things really.

My plan tomorrow is to light a fire before dusk maybe around 3.30? And just notice the early darkening and that this is darkest part of the year. It's just a noticing really that I have in mind and see if I can find any comfort in any of it. This is the first time I've ever felt any connection to the shortening nights. Though I'll be really glad to start emerging.

My noticing starts tonight I've just realised. with a nidra from my teacher, Uma. A nidra is like the end of a yoga class when you lie down but you don't do the yoga and you enter more of a meditative state. Uma trained me and she really makes you feel secure so you can drift and daydream. We actually do it over zoom and I literally climb into bed with my phone next to me!

I love your intentions for the day and dusk.

I used to have a morning routine of yoga and meditation and it's fallen by the wayside but tomorrow would be a good time to reintroduce them in a small way.

I hadn’t really thought about it but perhaps we could go around our village and look at the lights in the darkness?

@Ulysses I teach yoga, or I did until a few months ago when I had the beginnings of burn out, and I don't practice daily - but the physical anyway. Small ways are definitely good - so much benefit from a little tiny mini practice.

@LadyCatStark calling in the light is good. I am noticing the muted light at the moment. I had a lovely yoga studio at home but it's currently been taken over by ds. And I have only just remembered that I can light candles!

Wishing everyone here a happy solstice and more daylight x

Thanks @Iamnotavicar the only way is up now 🥰

Have we made it to the shortest day?! Thank god. No wonder I'm stressed beyond belief today. Work is absolute hell and I feel like having a mental breakdown. How's everyone doing?

@ShaneTheThird work is mad when bank holidays loom isn't it. I saw the dusk in with a fire in the garden and made an earthy mushroom soup too.

How are we all getting on? We’ve had a crazy few days!

That fire looks amazing!

The good kind of crazy I hope @LadyCatStark!

Had a busy day off travelling all over to see some family today and back in work tomorrow. Life is hectic here at the moment all sorts are going on! Can't wait to actually have a day off where I don't have to do anything.

@ShaneTheThird yes good really, just exhausting! We did our food shop today which was a bit overwhelming then called in at some friends’ for a brew. They ended up inviting us for Christmas dinner so we’ll have ours that we’d just bought sometime next week 😂. Then I had to take DS for an eye test in one direction as he’s been getting headaches and he has an astigmatism so is very excited to be getting glasses. I’m just relieved that hopefully we’ve found the cause of his headaches! Then I took him ice skating the the opposite direction and we did some last minute shopping. Just got home now and we left for the eye test at 3pm! I’ve still got sooo much to do for tomorrow but it’ll have to wait for he morning as I’m exhausted!

DH has pissed me off as he stayed at home with the dog and has mostly played Halo on his XBox and is now getting angry at the TV which he tells DS off for doing.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you have at least some peace today.

I am just back from hospital. Dp had another seizure. It was horrible and I had to call an ambulance because it also looked like another stroke (this is the first I've witnessed). So I've cleared up the ingredients I had out for Xmas dinner that I was about to start cooking and I've e come to bed. Only silver lining is he has to stop drinking.

Oh no @stilldumdedumming, maybe this will help you get some support? We had a lovely morning but a crap afternoon/ evening at friends thanks to the bloody dog who is now back home early and behaving perfectly 🤬. I also forgot not take my Sertraline on Christmas Day and forgot to take one with me so that probably doesn’t help.

Hi, can I join? Just been googling feeling low and this thread came up.

Never been officially diagnosed with SAD but I have suffered pnd in the past and every winter (november until march) without fail, I start to feel low. I seem to feel worse during the school hols as am indoors a lot with the kids. No work (I teach) and no time for me (gym which I started this year which I find has been helping me). At the moment DH has covid which means I am inside all the time (double vacc so I know I can go out but with the risk of spreading it if I catch it, I would rather not). The weather, darkness and cold just makes me feel so down all the time. I feel like I am being a rubbish mum. Snapping often. And now with DHs current health, I am just fed up...dettol non stop, masks inside, keeping kids entertained. Feeling alone.

@stilldumdedumming so sorry to hear that, hopefully as @LadyCatStark says you might get some better support with him and for yourself. Hope you are taking care of yourself even if it's just eating a proper meal each day or having a walk.

@Reebok welcome! This thread has been really helpful so far. The shortest days over so onwards and upwards.