2025/26 SAD thread

[Idstillratherbepaddleboarding]

It’s 1st September tomorrow so we’re back for another year’s SAD thread.

Welcome all old and new who struggles in the cold and dark months for advice and general moaning!

The only rule is no talk of snuggling under blankets, crunching in leaves (which will realistically be a soggy wet mulch, or pumpkin spiced anything!

Advice from previous years’ threads:

A SAD lamp can help as can a daylight alarm clock.
Try to get outdoors when the weather/ light allows it.
Try to keep up with your exercise routine or start a new one!
Remember to take your vitamin D and multi vitamins.
Try to have something to look forward to.

Link to last year’s thread.

Last year’s thread.

Thanks @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding :)

Had a lovely day out today, it did tip it down at midday but the sun came out in the afternoon and I have actually caught it a bit on my cheeks.

I have a SAD lamp but need to get myself the sunrise lamp.

@Lookingforwardto2025 it was the same here, so nice to still be able to wear shorts at the end of August! Keeping everything g crossed for a nice September!

September can have some lovely weather so fingers crossed @Idstillratherbepaddleboarding. I remember one year being on a UK holiday the last week of September and it was glorious. Needed a jacket in the early morning and evening but middle of the day was summery clothes. Hoping for that again.

It feels autumnal 😟 but I remain hopeful of a decent September before we really need to strap in for winter.

It is soooooo dark and grey 😢!

@lyingonthebeach oh no! It’s gorgeous here, sunny and warm. Keeping everything g crossed it continues for the rest of September!

Oh no @lyingonthebeach :( When I left Devon this morning it was grim but by the time I made it home it was lovely and sunny. Crazy how it can change across not huge areas of the country.

It's a mix of sunshine and showers here

Given that I walk most places, it would actually be quite handy to buy some galoshes or something 😂

I would become a dry robe wanker, but it literally needs to come down to your feet.

I could take more cabs, I suppose.

Last year I found hot yoga or Bikram yoga really helped. The longer 90 min classes. Getting deep heat into my bones was so helpful especially on the short cold grey days. That and the sunrise SAD lamp.

@EmeraldRoulette I’m fully intending to become a Dry Robe wanker this winter 😂. I’ll be buying a TentBox next summer at this rate 🙈.

@zeddybrek I’d love to get into yoga but all my spare time is taken up with pole dancing, which is also great for the soul!

😢😖 the weather here is grim- dark, gloomy and rainy. I've been awake for ages listening to the heavy rain 😫. It feels as if September was a switch to this awful weather. I want to stay in bed but . .. have to work but I'm going to look at flights for a short break in the sunshine cos I'm not mentally or emotionally ready to give up on 👓🌞yet.

The sun made an appearance for 10 mins. The change on my spirits was tangible! It's gone now 😫but i know that you will understand

Totally get that @lyingonthebeach, hope you find a good holiday!

Very grim here today, pouring rain. I'm OK with that at the moment as the days are still long enough. It will be October onwards that it will get to me. Will dig out my SAD lamp this week though when I tidy the garage.

@lyingonthebeach it’s instant isn’t it??

It’s been nice here again except for a shower right when I was walking the dog 🙈.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding lucky you with the weather. The forecast here is looking a bit better for the next couple of days so fingers 🤞.

@Lookingforwardto2025 I find that the SAD lamp does help a bit.

I'm so glad to have this thread. Just knowing that other 'get it,' really does help.

I wish I was one of these people who actually enjoy going out in this kind of weather.

I know somebody who really loves windy weather 🤷🏻‍♀️

It was a horrible day, but my stressful situation shows no sign of ending so I was mostly just running around stressed!

@EmeraldRoulette oh no! I hope it can at least get easier for you soon 🙁.

@EmeraldRoulette I hope things get better for you.

The sun has come out. Phew!

@lyingonthebeach we literally have the opposite weather to you! Are you down south?

Does anyone want to join me in setting some autumn goals? Here’s mine:

Increase my step count as my puppy gets bigger and can go on longer walks.
Complete my uni assignments and be fully qualified in December! (Helllooo pay rise!).
Prepare my new pole dancing showcase routine by the end of November.
Eat 3 meals a day.
TAKE MY VITAMINS.
Read some books (any recommendations please?? I keep looking but I get overwhelmed with the choices).
Indulge in some self care evenings where I do my nails etc.

@Idstillratherbepaddleboarding

Yes. In the south. Today I can already see bit of blue and hints of brightness which is a boost.

I'll join you in some goals:

FORCE myself to do at least 10,000 steps a day. I know walking and being outside helps but in winter I can fall far short and have had days when I haven't even left the house.

Do some more short, online courses and finish the one I started.

Actually watch some of the TV series recommended by friends which I say I'll save for winter but then don't watch because my SAD-addled brain can only cope with A Place in the Sun or Death in Paradise (obviously seeking 2nd hand sunshine 😀).

Treat myself to a few more massages and facials.

A bit more self-care; bubble baths, home pedis/manis and face masks.

I have already got a couple of spa weekends sorted and am on the verge of booking another few days of Portuguese sunshine to see me through Autumn. I need to make sure I have more things booked for winter as I have found that having things to look forward to really helps.

@lyingonthebeach ooh good goals, and similar to mine actually!

I’m also going to “treat” myself to a new SAD lamp as although mine is still going strong it’s pretty old now and plasticky and there’s much nicer ones on the market.

It's warm and sunny here today. I am going to stay outside all day to bank as much feel-good vitamin D as possible. I need reserves for autumn/ winter days ahead.

I hope you all have sun 🌞 too.

It’s lovely here too @lyingonthebeach we’ve been out for the afternoon and it’s warm enough for shorts! Definitely trying g to build up some reserves for winter.

Was a lovely day yesterday. We spent several hours outside and had a great time. Tomorrow and Tuesday look lovely too so will do the same and also get plenty of washing dry.

My autumn goals are:

Walk every day no matter the weather
Get back into running and sign up for a 10k
Book a couple of spa days to look forward to
Buy a sunrise lamp
Get my hair styled so that I actually feel good about it
Eat home cooked meals 95% of the time

Just generally nourish and care for myself to try to combat the dark and cold.