How to feel less bleugh in winter when WFH

[peppapigpeppapig]

Hi
Looking for tips to brighten up WFH days when it's dark and cold. Trying to stop myself getting in a rut as I tend to struggle this time of year with SAD.
Finished a big work project and a fitness event in Sept/October so feeling a bit purposeless. Busy with kids so I have plenty to do, just things feel
really mundane and boring. Don't have much of a social life and WFH so feel like a spend a lot of time alone.
Any low cost ideas to boost mood/productivity?
Things I already do:

• Have a SAD lamp on
• Go for a walk on my lunch break
• Try to work from a coffee shop one morning a week if possible
• Go to a weekly sports club

Just still feel really bleughh! Anyone relate?

100%! I only do 2 days/week from home but know exactly what you mean. Similar circumstances with the end of a big project too, so work is less pressured which is in some ways worse for me from a MH point of view.

I have to focus on fresh air, structure to my day and keeping a very specific task list so I don't just drift.

Also I am trying to use some of the down time to be gentler with myself rather than just rushing all the time.

There is also a free meditation app called Insight Timer, I often listen to a 12 minute meditation from a lady called Sarah Blondin, the track is called 'Making your life sacred' and it has completely changed the way I feel about the mundane routine aspects of life.

Hot water bottles and hot chocolate get me through as an FT remote worker, oh and the cat! If you want to borrow a well trained cat who regularly waves his bottom at senior management during teams calls, I'll send him in the post! That certainly cheers me up.

I also do the lunchtime walk like you do, have the radio or a podcast on for company, and I do an evening class once a week.

Thanks for replies, glad it's not just me!

I think little habits will make a difference, I just need a few more tips as realistically I can't change my work environment or role in the next few years.

On the whole WFH is mostly good for me and convenient as im an introvert .....but even so I do really struggle some days with feeling isolated.

My husband doesn't really get it. On the weekends and my day off I need to be out of the house as otherwise it doesn't really distinguish between work and non work days. But he often wants to stay in.

For example I really want to arrange something social on Friday night, get a babysitter etc, just to break up the week. The dark evenings make every night fairly monotonous!

Could you join some kind of "leisure" adult ed class one evening per week online? (Or in person if you can get arrangements in place/ at weekends.)

Places to look would be whether your local authority runs an adult ed/lifelong learning programme, any local colleges or unis might have adult ed "leisure" classes, or charities like the WEA have a mix of in-person or zoom courses. If you have a specific hobby you could probably find a provider for that.

By "leisure" I mean the kind of courses that don't have assessments or exams - cooking, crafting, languages, history, art, creative writing, singing etc.

https://www.wea.org.uk/

Or you could see if there are any Meetup groups that appeal to you meeting online.

https://www.meetup.com/

Hot water bottle, oldie, new slippers, fire lit (or on Netflix if you haven’t got one!).

Also lunchtime dogwalk and candles.

And audiobooks !!

Get up and out and move every morning. I either do a walk, yoga or go to the gym. Get some blood pumping before you start your day

I do make up, perfume and earrings every day when WFH. I do it all year round but it's an extra perk up in the winter

Drink plenty of water, and fancy herbal teas if that's your thing

Take advantage of being at home and make lovely nutritious lunches and dinners. I bought a soup maker a few years ago and never looked back. Set it going in the morning, it does it's thing in 20 mins or so and stays hot for a good couple of hours. Lots of oven dinners and traybakes

Depending on your job could you have the radio on or play music?

Take vitamin D at least 1000 iu a day.

There is research saying that looking at greenery - even nature posters - lifts mood. I have my screen positioned so that I can look out to the garden and have plants around (including a few pretty silk ones). I have no idea whether it works as I am generally an update person anyway, but it does look nice.

When I was wfh I put up fairy lights in gold by the window and it brightened the room up so much. Plus was jolly 😊

I second this track it’s amazing ❤️

Hopefully you have times in the day with no meetings, I turn the radio on. A mix of music and presenters talking makes me feel like im connected to people.

Or you could have the news running on low in the background on your TV if you have one nearby.

To be honest I've just gone back to office 4 days a week as I much prefer it but I appreciate this bit won't be helpful for you.

My study is my favourite room in the house, it brings a smile to my face every time I go in there which is good because i can be working from hone 5 days a week some weeks. I have fairy lights, and pictures that mean something to me(I've framed all my gig and sports tickets for example). It's a fun room. I try and keep it tidy and clutter free.

At the moment I have a vase of daffodils which brings a sense of spring is on its way. I also listen to music some days, although not that often which is a surprise as I thought I would.