Coping with the dark Winter days

25Avalon how sad 💐

watermeadow

If you’re retired you probably don’t need to get up in the dark or go out in the evenings. You can probably stay in when it’s very wet or cold.
How do you suppose our ancestors managed, without wellies or TV and knowing that they or loved ones would likely die in the winter?
The idea of ‘help to get through it’ is ludicrous.

I used to hate winter because of the car scraping when I worked. Now the thing I hate is getting up in the dark, which is only necessary twice a week since I retired.
I didn't used to feel the cold as my excess weight provided insulation. I hated summer as I always overheated. Now, despite the many advantages of losing over a third of my body weight, I now feel the cold in winter. I'm already wearing one of my warmest jumpers. When it gets colder I will be needing a thinner one underneath!
Apart from the above I appreciate different things about the different seasons. I still prefer spring and autumn though.

jocork

watermeadow

If you’re retired you probably don’t need to get up in the dark or go out in the evenings. You can probably stay in when it’s very wet or cold.
How do you suppose our ancestors managed, without wellies or TV and knowing that they or loved ones would likely die in the winter?
The idea of ‘help to get through it’ is ludicrous.

I used to hate winter because of the car scraping when I worked. Now the thing I hate is getting up in the dark, which is only necessary twice a week since I retired.
I didn't used to feel the cold as my excess weight provided insulation. I hated summer as I always overheated. Now, despite the many advantages of losing over a third of my body weight, I now feel the cold in winter. I'm already wearing one of my warmest jumpers. When it gets colder I will be needing a thinner one underneath!
Apart from the above I appreciate different things about the different seasons. I still prefer spring and autumn though.

So true watermeadow and particularly in the light of what lathyrus has said- we should be grateful for all and any days left to us - dark and cold, or wet and windy, or sunny and hot.
Somehow it never stops some people complaining.
I just know that my DH, the anniversary of whose death falls in November, would have dearly loved some more dark winter days, to see his grandchildren on their (Winter) birthdays or at Christmas.
“Help us get through it?”
Has to be better than the alternative!

RosieandherMaw

While I have sympathy for those with genuine SAD syndrome I do think we should be used by now to the fact that the length of days and light varies with the seasons .
It’s not the Land of the midnight Sun in summer or weeks and weeks of perpetual darkness like eg parts of the Baltic where Scandinavia’s winter days are characterized by a significant reduction in daylight hours, with the length of the day varying by latitude.
In the far north, the "polar night" occurs when the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks , though some diffused light may still be present. In the more southern areas, there may still be a few hours of daylight, but the sun rises late and sets early.

So why do we make such a fuss about it?

People are entitled to share their experiences of how lack of daylight affects them, and share useful tips for coping.
GPS will prescribe anti depressants for SAD but some people like me prefer to get through as best they can if they can’t or prefer not to take anti depressants.
No need to be so judgemental-if folk want to “make a fuss” on Gransnet, they are free to do so without inviting judgement.

Agree totally with this comment.
Also our ancestors didn’t have electricity and central heating and their winter clothes were probably really itchy.
I quite enjoy Winter especially on a sunny cold day.

Bad weather and outdoor jobs in the dark. Roll on spring

1st November I shall put the winter duvet covers on. Brushed cotton in a sort of tartan design. When it gets really cold I have an extra brushed cotton sheet between me and the duvet.
Good bright light bulbs. I may treat myself to some new pjs in brushed cotton. I sorted through my thermals drawer yesterday and am looking forward to wearing some thermal leggings. I get the same pleasure as I do in the spring looking at my drawer full of tops and shorts etc. Finding things you have forgotten about.
Winter is on its way...not much we can do about that. Try and celebrate it?.

No need to be so judgemental-if folk want to “make a fuss” on Gransnet, they are free to do so without inviting judgement
So anybody can say what they like so long as they don’t disagree?

It’s clearly not called GroansNet for nothing

I have a lightbox as I suffer from sad and my mood drops drastically in the winter. Staying in the West of Scotland our daylight is shorter and months of semi darkness, rain and wind. Even though am only in my 50s I also suffer from limited mobility so the minute there is any ice or snow I don't go out the door. I absolutely hate the winter but try to get daylight when I can and use my lightbox on a daily basis, I also read a lot and do diamond art to keep myself busy

Lathyrus3 I’m in awe of your positivity. You’ve made me feel ashamed about my dread of winter - I’m going to embrace it wholeheartedly this time. Thank you for giving me a much needed jolt to enjoy every day. Best wishes to you. X

I’m not going to take a hair shirt approach to winter just because our ancestors had to so it’s hygge all the way for me.
I do miss my wood burner though. An electric coal effect thingy just doesn’t cut it. I’ll never forget Peggy’s look of fury when I switched it on the day we moved in. She was so disbelieving she even licked the coals to make sure it wasn’t a joke.
I’m going to miss our cuddles under the throw this winter.

I’m no saint😬 And I might still be here next Winter too. I’m already pushing past expectations.

Anyway, I’ve just bought three new pairs of gorgeous shoes. I have to get the wear out of them.😁

That's the spirit, Lathyrus!!
Enjoy your shoes.

There's always hope

(They're not thoughtless words, btw, I do understand.)

I try to go away to South of Spain a couple of weeks Nov/Dec and a few weeks in January. I don't like the dark mornings and dark early evenings and although I do go out for walks along the coast I long for lighter days and better weather.

I hope it isn’t! Take care and bless you. X

Gran70s I am with you. I love Autumn and Winter and dread summer and the anti social behaviour and noise that goes with it. I am convinced I have SAD in reverse. I have little sympathy for people who don't like dark nights because they have ZERO sympathy for those of us who are depressed in summer and hate light nights. They resort to calling us names such as killjoy, boring, weird, misery guts etc... Enjoy the fact you get 7 months of BST and we only get 5 months of GMT. To make it fair it should be 6 months of each.

This is where we live .... just have to make adaptations. When my children I did not know there was life out there behind the curtains! Being sad will not make my life better, so really try to manage my evenings.

I love all of the seasons. Maybe not all of the time, but glad we have them.

i love the winter, i have never been a summer or even a sun person, i have had my heavy black curtain closed for the last 16 months due to scaffolding all around the building i live in, work was supposed to be for a year and now it is two years, men on the scaffold from 7.30am till 4.30pm, i got fed up feeling i was in a fish bowl.

Funny old thing, low mood. We are to emulate the Scandanavians but be mindful that they have it worse than us.

And variations on " pull yourself together"

Would it be the same if a person had poor physical health?

A SAD lamp absolutely does work, a good make is best

I am one of the lucky ones, I have a SAD lamp just in case but rarely need to use it. I love these cold dark months but my body always gets me ready to hibernate. I have fuel for the stove, plenty of candles, lots of food stashed away and throws and shawls and quiet crafts like spinning and knitting.

It is a welcome rest time for me, minimal exercise, no gardening. Recovery time to get ready for the next awakening

I’m not going to tell you that your dread of dark,Winter evenings is ‘ludicrous’, NanKate, nor dismiss your feelings!
Just as well we’re not all the same on Gransnet - it would very soon be down to the survival of the fittest!

Apart from gloomy and short days being a Winter feature, which can be magnified for those who love the outdoors, everything feels worse if you are often alone.

Comfort, cosiness, warmth, is what anyone seeks on dark and cold days, but a key feature seems to be the light….and a lack of it. The whole world, when bright and well lit can feel so much better. SAD lamps exist because the condition - for lots of people - does too. Seek out the light, always. Unless you really have to, don’t go out or stay out if it’s dark. Plan to take advantage of early mornings, be prepared to do anything necessary when the day is bright. Try to walk every day. Fresh air and movement, meeting friends, is bound to make you feel different. Dress ‘properly’ in comfortable layers - don’t be cold. (Shoulders level with ears against nasty weather is not a good look!)

Be prepared, if you can, to always get home before it gets dark. Embrace the warmth, draw curtains, arrange good lighting, look forward to warm food, a warm bed and something interesting planned for your evenings. Otherwise, ignore the changing season - or try to.

I’m longing to plant my pots of Spring bulbs but it’s still too warm/early here. My tulips are sitting in the fridge, probably until November, but you can doubtless plant a few pots of plants to cheer.

Don’t dread…..adopt some ideas that will make you feel positive and in control. Come back and tell us maybe that you feel better?

Autumn is a lovely time of the year when the trees are changing with gold and red shades. Nature is getting ready for the winter and rest and so must we.

I think it helps to have a positive mindset but some people find that hard when it's cold and light levels are reduced.

A short, cold, grey and gloomy day is not compensated by a welcoming house for me, I far prefer to be outside on a warm summer’s evening - it’s like comparing porridge with a smoked salmon salad to say the winter is as good as the summer.

If you possibly can, the best antidote to the dull, miserable days of a British winter is to escape to the sun. I completely understand why some people go for extended periods between January and March.

I'm with Grandmafrench Make the most of the daylight hours, especially before it gets too cold, and make inside a cosy, welcoming place where you can curl up and hibernate if you want. Doesn't help people with SAD, I know, but apart from a good lamp I don't know what will.

I've got my big Autumn wreath on the door to welcome me home. The table lamps that come on automatically in the evening will be set for an hour earlier, so it doesn't get gloomy. My Christmas 'fake' candles have new batteries and are lined up on the mantelpiece. Food will be getting stodgier and warmer, with all our old favourites like suet puddings. My big, fluffy, snuggly duvet will be coming out this week when the bed gets changed. I'm already wearing my nice warm slipper socks. Apart from my sewing list I'm going to try soap making this Winter, something I've always been meaning to try but haven't got around to.

I'm not a lover of the cold but I'm beginning to look forward to the Autumn now. It's a lovely time to go for a walk too, with all the leaves changing colour and gardens looking different.