Coping with the dark Winter days

I have much more energy in the colder months, Summer saps me.
What I really can’t stand is a lot of rain.

I totally agree Ferry. Since my DH died and the children have left home it's so hard.
I try my best to keep busy. However, the dark dreary nights just go on and on.
All my friends are, luckily still in couples, and really don't understand how hard it is.

I was about to ask if anyone had tried light therapy so keep us updated please Primrose.

Yes I have a Beurer light therapy machine. It has 3 strengths the lowest light is called Relax which I often have on whilst reading the paper, next one up is called Active which is brighter and I am now trying that, the brightest is called therapy which is is very bright and I shall start trying that out soon.

Please do not get upset by those people who have been rather critical of those of us with this winter problem. If they experienced what we do, they might be a little more understanding.

Lathyrus thinking of you. 💐

Yes, I go through this every year.
I have books in the shed about wintering, and a light machine.
I try to see the beauty that is still around in evergreens .
I have annual temptations and one is new boots or a coat but this year it might just be a new scarf.
Best wishes to you all

Aldom

Well said StripeyGran. I know people in some Scandinavian countries who suffer during the dark days. It's not just people in the UK etc. SAD exists.

It’s even worse (for those who suffer) in the likes of Sweden - even shorter days, and often colder, too. My Swedish friend really dreads the winter months. She lived in Devon for many years and did find it a bit easier there - though it was wetter! But spring did come sooner, and real winter started later than at home.

I was in Sweden a few years ago. We went into a department store around 1pm and it was still light. When we came out just over an hour later it was almost fully dark.

Yes, indeed Witzend the person I had uppermost in mind is in Sweden. He finds the darkness and the cold extremely depressing.

Not making a fuss. I may have lived for 70 years plus, but I still dislike the dark mornings and dark evenings and they definitely make be me feel low for a while

I was reading recently that we should try to embrace the darkening days by slowing down, relaxing and allowing the season to do its magic of regeneration ready for the spring.

I suppose that’s fine for people without deadlines etc.

But Hygge describes it I think and although I am really a person who craves light, I thought that this year I would try and create a contentment living indoors, but at the same time embracing the outdoors and nature on some days before retreating back into my cosy cave.

I believe people like Monty Don suffer from this lack of light to the extent of experiencing depression which is very difficult I think.

One way to make the dark winter days nice is to have warm pools of light from table lamps with pretty shades, or firelight(artificial if need be). There is no law against coloured glass baubles and fairy lights around the place all winter.

A transparent voile window curtain in orange or gold would make a big difference to a cold looking room.

I been thinking of Lathyrus every time she posts whatever she posts because lathyrus latifolius is one of my favourite plants. I first met an everlasting sweet pea when I was a small child. It was growing unnoticed through a hedge and nobody could tell me what this vivid flower was.

Grandma70s

Strange, isn’t it - I love the dark winter days and I dislike summer! Winter is cosy and comforting to me.

This is me as well….

Lathyrus
Hope you get to enjoy the bright festivals that only happen in the Autumn and Winter. So many from so many different cultures.

Those are lovely ideas, Caleo, lights around the place etc.
I shall do that.
I don't relish the long dark evenings alone, but am trying hard to appreciate everything around me now as I'm definitely in the zone of realising that my days must be numbered.
It's surely a bit unkind to call it 'making a fuss'. Some people do seriously get depressed in winter.

I dislike hot weather and look forward to the end of Summer. Since the temperature dropped, I've been catching up with shopping and going for walks. I don't like the dark mornings but enjoy the cozy evenings.

I should have said I have 5 solar lights in my back garden. Admittedly in the darker days they are only one for a short while, but if we have a sunny day they remain bright for much longer. Bought them all at the National Trust.

I’m very touched by people’s good wishes.

Just to say I am actually very well and active at present and enjoying life immensely.

😁

Grans that enjoy the winter, do you have any tips at all? I like the idea of the coloured voile.

Depression is a beast and nobody chooses it.

Lathyrus3

As I’m concious this might be the last Autumn/Winter that I see, I’ve suddenly started to appreciate it and am going to make the most of the uniqueness of what Winter brings😬

It’s amazing how it’s changed the way I feel about it.🤔

I'm sorry to hear this Lathyrus3, but glad you are going to be positive about it. I found last autumn that going for a walk, a mindful one that is, made me 'see' the season so much more clearly. In fact, I wrote a short poem about it. It is a nice memory - I have just inspired myself to do so again, and see what comes up this time! Enjoy your seasons Lathyrus3.

As I retired in April this will be the first time I don't have to get up early for work, or get home in dark. It's going to be interesting?

I'm not a fan of dark nights, I love the summer months.

It might have been a good summer, but it was still too short for me. I still haven’t done all the day trips I intended and as I’m out a lot at night, theatre trips, socialising and rehearsals etc, I certainly don’t enjoy driving in the dark.

I enjoy my heated throw and cosy nights and have started lighting candles at night when I’m in.

It’s November I particularly dislike. My son died at this time 20 year’s ago after 2 weeks of hell in hospital. Something about the light brings it back to my consciousness every year. January I don’t mind as although it can be cold there is a certain brightness which reminds me Spring is not car away.

Far not car

I am definately a summer person and used to hate the winter, especially when it dragged on through endless January...

I used to get very low and depressed when the summer ended but since finishing work my attitude has changed a little.

I have built in changes I make to prepare for winter- a bit like winter cleaning. I take down my thinner summer curtains and put up my thicker winter ones. I have just changed my quilt too, from the light summer one to a heavier winter one.

I have designated winter and summer clothes too.

In the winter I play more music, watch more TV and get outdoors as much as I can on fine days. Walking is so much easier!

Due to having such a great summer and so far a mild autumn I don't dread the winter quite so much but I enjoy seeing the changing seasons and very soon I'm sure, the world will be turning back towards the sun and the winter will be over!

I am learning to embrace the winter, even though it hasn't even arrived yet. I feel ready!