Winter - how to survive and not get depresssed

We will not admit autumn is here until the Autumn Equinox in this household!

It doesn't become depressing until the clocks go back either.

00opsidia

I have a daylight lamp too, last winter I was using it before work as it was dark when I got up.

Currently making the most of the summer days by spending as much time as possible in the garden so I can remind myself of the feeling of sun on my skin during winter months.

Yes, I got some Vitamin D on my arms and legs in the garden yesterday 🙂

I agree, Allira - it’s still summer in this house until the autumn equinox, so a few more weeks to go 😁.

Ziplok

I agree, Allira - it’s still summer in this house until the autumn equinox, so a few more weeks to go 😁.

When I need to get out my vests 😁

It’s still summer until I have to put my sandals away.

The cost of gas and electricity makes it difficult to do a lot of baking these days.

mabon1

The cost of gas and electricity makes it difficult to do a lot of baking these days.

Can you do a batch bake then freeze some of it?

I don't bake often now but have a yearning for a Dorset Apple Cake!

The problem with this summer is that my sandals haven't even been out yet 😂

and boot weather is on the way!

One thing I did last winter that I think helped me, was to keep a notebook and write in it each morning 'three things I am grateful for'. I later added 'three things I have done or achieved the day before'. After that I used a short meditation on Insight Timer.

Some great ideas and advice on this thread! My mum always HAD to go out for a walk every day, and continued to do so at nearly 100. My brother and sister have inherited this, but I seem to have inherited my father's attitude to walks! He would only do them if there was another purpose to it, say walking a dog, posting a letter, going to a shop.

It seems to be quite ingrained in me, and I know I would feel better walking every day. I get a fair bit of exercise dancing, but I could do with a jolt to my system (maybe even a sort of human 'app'!) that programmes me just to walk for the sake of it.

Does anyone else have this?

Go to Australia for 3 months in the winter. My sister lives there and my mother did this for years

babzi

Go to Australia for 3 months in the winter. My sister lives there and my mother did this for years

It's so hot and humid we used to make sure we came home by the end of October.

I absolutely HATE sun/summer/heat, always have and always will, I hate that it makes the horrendous pain/stiffness from my rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and damaged back worse, not being able to breathe properly, having my hair and clothes stick to me like glue, it stops me from sleeping, gives me vicious headaches, upset guts, sickness, mood swings.

Give me winters every time! The beautiful storms, rain, snow, cold, snuggled in with glasses of Baileys and tasty meals and nibbles!

I was going to suggest what RosiesMaw says, set alarm, get up, have hot shower, get dressed and have as much routine as possible xx 😘

Woke up to some mist today! I have decided to split the Autumn into little parts.

Part 1- from now until the equinox, a few more weeks yet.
Part 2- from the equinox to the clock changes
Part 3- from the clocks going back until the start of Advent which this year is 1st December!

Weather is very warm here so no sign of winter yet except closing the curtains earlier every night and waking up in the dark!

Me I'm hopefully off to Thailand for a few weeks, then I can put up with the rain.. It's never cold in my part of the world, it just rains.

I’ve decided for the first time ever (despite being a keen gardener,) to plant some bulbs. To think that they’ll be growing throughout the winter and noticing the first tiny shoots, will be joyous. I can look forward to my helibores reappearing in the winter too.

You'll be so glad you did when they appear in Spring. The squirrels get mine though, so I buy the ready grown ones and the squirrels leave them alone!

Winter is a time for long walks, wrapped up well and with good walking shoes/trainers, with frosts sparkling on the ground, berries red upon the bushes and trees, cold but you soon warm up as you pick up the pace, as long as rain isn't forecast you are good to go, if you are able to walk that is, however, even if your mobility is limited, try a short stroll. It gets rid of all the cobwebs, opens your eyes to your surroundings, if it is built up walk around the streets and have a nosey at people's gardens etc., trot past the shops and maybe catch a take away coffee or hot chocolate, if you are near a park or the countryside take in the beauty of nature in the winter, a rugged stripped back landscape, stark tree limbs revealing the emergence of mistletoe, evergreens keeping hope of more fertile months alive.
Enjoy it. Life is too short.

Wet, misty and dull today. I'm off to watch a bike race from under my umbrella!
I don't have my winter slippers on yet and definately felt the cold round my feet this morning when I got up. Dark too.
People prefer this?

I prefer long walks in the autumn and winter to the hot sun. I don't mind at all a bit of wind and rain. Within reason of course. You have to get outside even if the weather is a bit iffy.

Dress appropriately find a good group to walk with and it is good for your soul as well as your body.

Mmm- it was very damp. I enjoy walking but not in the wet. As for a good walking group, it has eluded me. Most of the time I walk on my own, but not when I have to trail muddy shoes into the house...

I didn't get so wet as those cyclists though, even the winner said the weather was grim!

Isn't it interesting how we're all different. I love winter and the dark nights. I'm so looking forward to it being dark at this time! But I love summer and very hot days as well. I'm easily pleased!

Has anyone mentioned cycling? Forgive me if this is a total no no for you. I love to cycle. Very lucky to live near vast woods which is great. No cars!

Dog walking? But yes, definitely walking, very good both physically and mentally.

Good luck!

I can't cycle and don't have a dog. But do intend to walk every day. After the heavy rain today I just wonder is any clothing totally waterproof! It seems as if we will get these wet winters more and more now. I really enjoy the cold, crisp days when the sun comes out in winter but we don't seem to get many of them any more.